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Speaking ahead of the Pregnant Adolescent Childcare Training program at the Westmoreland Intermediate Unit on Oct. 21 in Greensburg, Christine Black of Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP) discussed the possible influence of sexually explicit TV programs on teen behavior.
“Yes, exposure to sexually explicit material has been shown to influence sexual initiation in some studies. ... On the other hand, these shows can also lead to discussion and risk information,” said Black, a health and physical education professor at IUP.
Black said studies show that “kids are postponing early [sexual] initiation.” “But if you go by anecdotal evidence in Western Pennsylvania, the kids are coming in younger and younger for birth control and other issues.” Such evidence must be considered, she said, since it is difficult to get statistical studies for children not yet in high school.
“Tweens,” or youths ages eight to 12, do mimic the behavior of older youths, Black observed. “They just aspire to be older than their years now. ... If you want to see the impact of the media, look at what little kids are wearing.”
A positive development is that teens today are more likely to practice safe sex than youths in the 1990s, said Black.
The Friends of AIDS Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.
TOGETHER WE REMAIN STRONG!
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Youth Organizations Struggle to Make Teenagers Aware of the Risks of HIV
An earlier generation’s sense of urgency for eradicating HIV has largely been lost on youths ages 16-24 who grew up in a world with HIV, some experts and advocates say. Educating members of “Generation Y” about HIV means reaching out to these Millennials in ways that resonate with them, several experts said.
“Rates are not decreasing and, in some groups, they’re going up,” said Tina Hoff, director of health communication at Kaiser Family Foundation. KFF joined MTV in 2008 to launch “Get Yourself Tested,” a robust media campaign to familiarize teens with HIV testing and encourage discussion among youths. Aggressive media campaigns are becoming the norm.
“Media alone and public information alone isn’t going to solve this crisis by itself, but it’s an important piece of the puzzle,” Hoff said. “Most young people will tell you their most common sources of information on these issues are the media and their friends.”
Meeting young people on the streets is important, said Raul Posas, social marketing manager at District of Columbia-based Metro TeenAIDS, a youth advocacy organization, who handles all MTA outreach and directly works on testing efforts.
“The number-one barrier is stigma,” Posas said. “They don’t want to be judged.” With testing, young people prize discretion above all else, he said. MTA has casual drop-in testing centers where youths “can hang out, play video games ... places that are little more discreet and don’t always look like a clinic,” he said.
MTA and D.C.-based Whitman-Walker Clinic also field mobile testing units. MTA regularly hosts basketball competitions and back-to-school fashion shows with free testing, and WWC places testing units directly outside nightclubs popular with straight and LGBT individuals.
The Friends of AIDS Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.
TOGETHER WE REMAIN STRONG!
“Rates are not decreasing and, in some groups, they’re going up,” said Tina Hoff, director of health communication at Kaiser Family Foundation. KFF joined MTV in 2008 to launch “Get Yourself Tested,” a robust media campaign to familiarize teens with HIV testing and encourage discussion among youths. Aggressive media campaigns are becoming the norm.
“Media alone and public information alone isn’t going to solve this crisis by itself, but it’s an important piece of the puzzle,” Hoff said. “Most young people will tell you their most common sources of information on these issues are the media and their friends.”
Meeting young people on the streets is important, said Raul Posas, social marketing manager at District of Columbia-based Metro TeenAIDS, a youth advocacy organization, who handles all MTA outreach and directly works on testing efforts.
“The number-one barrier is stigma,” Posas said. “They don’t want to be judged.” With testing, young people prize discretion above all else, he said. MTA has casual drop-in testing centers where youths “can hang out, play video games ... places that are little more discreet and don’t always look like a clinic,” he said.
MTA and D.C.-based Whitman-Walker Clinic also field mobile testing units. MTA regularly hosts basketball competitions and back-to-school fashion shows with free testing, and WWC places testing units directly outside nightclubs popular with straight and LGBT individuals.
The Friends of AIDS Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.
TOGETHER WE REMAIN STRONG!
Seroprevalence and Correlates of Hep A Among HIV-Negative American MSM
Noting that hepatitis A virus outbreaks among MSM have been well-documented, the current study examined the characteristics associated with HAV among a large group of young adult MSM in five US cities.
The Young Men’s Survey was a cross-sectional HIV prevalence and behavioral risk factor study among MSM, ages 15-29, during 1994-2000. Serum specimens from HIV-negative participants were retrospectively tested for HAV antibodies (anti-HAV). Data were then stratified by ethnicity and analyzed with logistic regression.
Overall anti-HAV prevalence was 18.4 percent among the 2,708 participants, varying by ethnicity from 6.9 percent to 45.3 percent, with the highest rates among Hispanic and Asian men (P<0.001). Prevalence increased with age across all racial/ethnic groups. Among white men, anti-HAV positivity was associated with having 20 or more lifetime male sex partners for those ages 15-22 years (adjusted odds ratio=2.1, 95 percent confidence interval=1.0-4.1) and ever having had unprotected anal sex for those ages 23-29 years (AOR=2.4, 95 percent CI=1.2-4.5).
“Factors associated with a history of HAV infection among MSM in non-outbreak settings are probably similar to those among non-MSM,” the study authors concluded. “MSM are still at risk for HAV infection as a result of HAV outbreaks occurring in MSM communities. Additional studies of hepatitis A vaccination coverage are needed to determine if strategies to vaccinate MSM are adequate.”
The Friends of AIDS Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.
TOGETHER WE REMAIN STRONG!
The Young Men’s Survey was a cross-sectional HIV prevalence and behavioral risk factor study among MSM, ages 15-29, during 1994-2000. Serum specimens from HIV-negative participants were retrospectively tested for HAV antibodies (anti-HAV). Data were then stratified by ethnicity and analyzed with logistic regression.
Overall anti-HAV prevalence was 18.4 percent among the 2,708 participants, varying by ethnicity from 6.9 percent to 45.3 percent, with the highest rates among Hispanic and Asian men (P<0.001). Prevalence increased with age across all racial/ethnic groups. Among white men, anti-HAV positivity was associated with having 20 or more lifetime male sex partners for those ages 15-22 years (adjusted odds ratio=2.1, 95 percent confidence interval=1.0-4.1) and ever having had unprotected anal sex for those ages 23-29 years (AOR=2.4, 95 percent CI=1.2-4.5).
“Factors associated with a history of HAV infection among MSM in non-outbreak settings are probably similar to those among non-MSM,” the study authors concluded. “MSM are still at risk for HAV infection as a result of HAV outbreaks occurring in MSM communities. Additional studies of hepatitis A vaccination coverage are needed to determine if strategies to vaccinate MSM are adequate.”
The Friends of AIDS Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.
TOGETHER WE REMAIN STRONG!
Troubles with Heart Are Linked to HPV
Women infected with human papillomavirus are two to three times as likely as those not infected to have suffered a heart attack or stroke, according to a new study. However, the findings are not definitive and only show an association between heart disease and HPV, not that HPV caused the disease.
Dr. Kenichi Fujise, a cardiologist at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, and colleagues sought to find out why some people suffer heart attacks but have none of the usual risk factors. About 20 percent of heart patients lack obvious risk factors, and researchers believe there may be underlying factors yet to be discovered.
Fujise’s team studied HPV because the virus can degrade tumor suppressor protein p53, whose inactivation is associated with accelerated atherosclerosis. Data for the study were from 2,450 females ages 20-59 who participated in a national health survey during 2003-06. The women self-collected vaginal swab specimens for HPV testing and reported whether they ever had a heart attack or stroke.
Of the women, 1,141 had HPV. And of the 60 who reported heart disease, 39 had HPV. Adjusting for risks such as smoking, blood pressure, and weight, the team found women with HPV were 2.3 times as likely as the uninfected to have heart disease. Among women with HPV strains known to cause cancer, the risk was 2.86 times that of women who did not have HPV.
“I was thinking maybe there would be just a weak link or no link, but this is a strong link,” said Fujise. Most people with HPV would not be at special risk for heart disease. Fujise suspects that heart disease, like cancer, would be likely to develop only among people with lingering HPV infections.
The full study, “Human Papillomavirus and Cardiovascular Disease Among US Women in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2003 to 2006,” was published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology (2011;58:2001-2006).
The Friends of AIDS Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.
TOGETHER WE REMAIN STRONG!
Dr. Kenichi Fujise, a cardiologist at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, and colleagues sought to find out why some people suffer heart attacks but have none of the usual risk factors. About 20 percent of heart patients lack obvious risk factors, and researchers believe there may be underlying factors yet to be discovered.
Fujise’s team studied HPV because the virus can degrade tumor suppressor protein p53, whose inactivation is associated with accelerated atherosclerosis. Data for the study were from 2,450 females ages 20-59 who participated in a national health survey during 2003-06. The women self-collected vaginal swab specimens for HPV testing and reported whether they ever had a heart attack or stroke.
Of the women, 1,141 had HPV. And of the 60 who reported heart disease, 39 had HPV. Adjusting for risks such as smoking, blood pressure, and weight, the team found women with HPV were 2.3 times as likely as the uninfected to have heart disease. Among women with HPV strains known to cause cancer, the risk was 2.86 times that of women who did not have HPV.
“I was thinking maybe there would be just a weak link or no link, but this is a strong link,” said Fujise. Most people with HPV would not be at special risk for heart disease. Fujise suspects that heart disease, like cancer, would be likely to develop only among people with lingering HPV infections.
The full study, “Human Papillomavirus and Cardiovascular Disease Among US Women in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2003 to 2006,” was published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology (2011;58:2001-2006).
The Friends of AIDS Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.
TOGETHER WE REMAIN STRONG!
Planned Parenthood Struggles After State Budget Cuts
Mirroring a national trend, Texas is cutting back on funding for organizations that perform abortions or refer women to providers that do, even when most or all of the organization’s services are primary or preventive care.
When state cuts to family planning services took effect in September, the eight-clinic network of the Planned Parenthood Association of Hidalgo County (PPAHC) lost a $3.1 million contract, shuttered four of its facilities, and laid off half its staff.
In 2010, the network served 23,000 mostly low-income or uninsured patients, providing contraception, STD testing, breast and cervical cancer screenings, and wellness exams for women and men, but not abortions. “Basically, we are their doctors,” said Patricio Gonzales, CEO of PPAHC.
Gonzales estimates the closings will affect 16,000 low-income men, women, and children in the Rio Grande Valley. PPAHC in September received a one-time $113,000 state award after two other agencies rejected the money, allowing it to treat about 650 patients. But it is not enough to keep open its clinics in Mission, Progreso, Rio Grande City, and San Carlos. Clients will have to now travel longer distances for care, or they might stop seeking services altogether, Gonzales fears.
Planned Parenthood says 66 of its Texas clinics remain open, though their hours and outreach have been cut. Eleven clinics are receiving state support, down from 40 last year. The Legislature this year cut the state’s family planning budget by two-thirds, to $37.9 million over the next two years from $111.5 million. Budget analysts warned this would affect at least 180,000 men and women and could lead to more than 20,000 additional births at a cost of more than $200 million.
The Friends of AIDS Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.
TOGETHER WE REMAIN STRONG!
When state cuts to family planning services took effect in September, the eight-clinic network of the Planned Parenthood Association of Hidalgo County (PPAHC) lost a $3.1 million contract, shuttered four of its facilities, and laid off half its staff.
In 2010, the network served 23,000 mostly low-income or uninsured patients, providing contraception, STD testing, breast and cervical cancer screenings, and wellness exams for women and men, but not abortions. “Basically, we are their doctors,” said Patricio Gonzales, CEO of PPAHC.
Gonzales estimates the closings will affect 16,000 low-income men, women, and children in the Rio Grande Valley. PPAHC in September received a one-time $113,000 state award after two other agencies rejected the money, allowing it to treat about 650 patients. But it is not enough to keep open its clinics in Mission, Progreso, Rio Grande City, and San Carlos. Clients will have to now travel longer distances for care, or they might stop seeking services altogether, Gonzales fears.
Planned Parenthood says 66 of its Texas clinics remain open, though their hours and outreach have been cut. Eleven clinics are receiving state support, down from 40 last year. The Legislature this year cut the state’s family planning budget by two-thirds, to $37.9 million over the next two years from $111.5 million. Budget analysts warned this would affect at least 180,000 men and women and could lead to more than 20,000 additional births at a cost of more than $200 million.
The Friends of AIDS Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.
TOGETHER WE REMAIN STRONG!
Friday, October 28, 2011
Sex Education Books Break Down Traditional Barriers
On Monday, the first school received a new sex education textbook expected to be introduced in 18 schools in Shanghai’s Yangpu district. Monday’s class was open to parents, education officials, and journalists.
Third-graders at a primary school affiliated with the Shanghai University of Science began learning lessons from the new “Boys and Girls” textbook, which is offered in three volumes for children of different ages across six grades.
In “Traffic Lights for Our Bodies,” third-graders are taught about their anatomy and how to protect themselves. The children learn to recognize reproductive organs and sensitive areas, and hold up “red lights” or “green lights” when they see offensive or friendly gestures in pictures displayed by the teacher. The students also play a game in which they cover the private parts of cartoon human bodies with pieces of paper.
Parents “find it hard to talk about sex with our children, but the students have not been as shy as I imagined,” said a mother named Chen Ying. “On the contrary, it was quite natural for the kids.” “We designed the program to teach kids about gender,” said Ding Limin, headmaster. “The program includes self-awareness, gender knowledge and ethics, as well as sexual harassment knowledge.”
In the first volume of “Boys and Girls,” which targets first and second grades, the question “Where am I from?” is approached with cartoons and a story about conception. “Daddy and mommy fall in love and marry. Ova in mom’s ovaries and sperm in dad’s testes meet each other and then here you come!” the book says. For older students, lessons include identifying sexual assault and how to protect themselves.
The Friends of AIDS Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.
TOGETHER WE REMAIN STRONG!
Third-graders at a primary school affiliated with the Shanghai University of Science began learning lessons from the new “Boys and Girls” textbook, which is offered in three volumes for children of different ages across six grades.
In “Traffic Lights for Our Bodies,” third-graders are taught about their anatomy and how to protect themselves. The children learn to recognize reproductive organs and sensitive areas, and hold up “red lights” or “green lights” when they see offensive or friendly gestures in pictures displayed by the teacher. The students also play a game in which they cover the private parts of cartoon human bodies with pieces of paper.
Parents “find it hard to talk about sex with our children, but the students have not been as shy as I imagined,” said a mother named Chen Ying. “On the contrary, it was quite natural for the kids.” “We designed the program to teach kids about gender,” said Ding Limin, headmaster. “The program includes self-awareness, gender knowledge and ethics, as well as sexual harassment knowledge.”
In the first volume of “Boys and Girls,” which targets first and second grades, the question “Where am I from?” is approached with cartoons and a story about conception. “Daddy and mommy fall in love and marry. Ova in mom’s ovaries and sperm in dad’s testes meet each other and then here you come!” the book says. For older students, lessons include identifying sexual assault and how to protect themselves.
The Friends of AIDS Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.
TOGETHER WE REMAIN STRONG!
Drugmakers Pool Ideas to Battle Tropical Diseases
Wednesday marked the launch of a World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) consortium aimed at promoting intellectual property sharing for the development of drugs to treat neglected diseases like TB and malaria.
“By joining ‘WIPO Re:Search,’ companies and researchers commit to making selected intellectual property assets available under royalty-free licenses to qualified researchers anywhere in the world for research and development on neglected tropical diseases, malaria and tuberculosis,” said Francis Gurry, director-general of WIPO.
A statement said membership in the consortium is open to all organizations that support the guiding principles of WIPO Re:Search. These include a commitment to licensing intellectual property on a royalty-free basis for research and development on tropical diseases in any country, and on a royalty-free basis for sale of medications for tropical diseases in or to least-developed nations.
Among the drugmakers who have joined the consortium are AstraZeneca, GlaxoSmithKline, Novartis, and Pfizer. “Increasing access to our collective proprietary information will help advance research into treatment options for these underserved diseases,” said AstraZeneca CEO David Brennan, who is also president of the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers & Associations.
The Friends of AIDS Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.
TOGETHER WE REMAIN STRONG!
“By joining ‘WIPO Re:Search,’ companies and researchers commit to making selected intellectual property assets available under royalty-free licenses to qualified researchers anywhere in the world for research and development on neglected tropical diseases, malaria and tuberculosis,” said Francis Gurry, director-general of WIPO.
A statement said membership in the consortium is open to all organizations that support the guiding principles of WIPO Re:Search. These include a commitment to licensing intellectual property on a royalty-free basis for research and development on tropical diseases in any country, and on a royalty-free basis for sale of medications for tropical diseases in or to least-developed nations.
Among the drugmakers who have joined the consortium are AstraZeneca, GlaxoSmithKline, Novartis, and Pfizer. “Increasing access to our collective proprietary information will help advance research into treatment options for these underserved diseases,” said AstraZeneca CEO David Brennan, who is also president of the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers & Associations.
The Friends of AIDS Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.
TOGETHER WE REMAIN STRONG!
Bristol-Myers, Gilead Work on New Combo HIV Pill
Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. and Gilead Sciences Inc. announced Wednesday a deal to develop and sell a once-a-day HIV pill that combines a popular protease inhibitor (PI) with a boosting agent.
Under the plan, Bristol-Myers will formulate, manufacture, and sell the combination treatment. The pill includes Bristol-Myers’ PI Reyataz and Gilead’s cobicistat, which works to raise HIV drug levels in the blood by blocking an enzyme that breaks down drugs. Gilead is currently conducting mid- and late-stage human trials of the combination pill in newly diagnosed patients.
The two companies already work together on the three-drug pill Atripla, the first approved once-a-day HIV drug; it is now prescribed to more than half of new HIV patients. Atripla includes Sustiva, made by Bristol-Myers, and Gilead’s Viread and Emtriva.
Combination pills have become the foundation of HIV treatment, as they make regimen adherence much less difficult.
The Friends of AIDS Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.
TOGETHER WE REMAIN STRONG!
Under the plan, Bristol-Myers will formulate, manufacture, and sell the combination treatment. The pill includes Bristol-Myers’ PI Reyataz and Gilead’s cobicistat, which works to raise HIV drug levels in the blood by blocking an enzyme that breaks down drugs. Gilead is currently conducting mid- and late-stage human trials of the combination pill in newly diagnosed patients.
The two companies already work together on the three-drug pill Atripla, the first approved once-a-day HIV drug; it is now prescribed to more than half of new HIV patients. Atripla includes Sustiva, made by Bristol-Myers, and Gilead’s Viread and Emtriva.
Combination pills have become the foundation of HIV treatment, as they make regimen adherence much less difficult.
The Friends of AIDS Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.
TOGETHER WE REMAIN STRONG!
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Vitamin D Activates Immune Response to TB: Study
While researchers have long known that vitamin D is involved in the body’s response to TB, a new study shows it must be present at sufficient levels to trigger the immune response.
“Over the centuries, vitamin D has intrinsically been used to treat tuberculosis,” said lead author Mario Fabri. “Sanatoriums dedicated to tuberculosis patients were traditionally placed in sunny locations that seemed to help patients, but no one knew why this worked.”
“Our findings suggest that increasing vitamin D levels through supplementation may improve the immune response to infections such as tuberculosis,” said Fabri, who conducted the research while at the University of California-Los Angeles, and who now is at the Department of Dermatology at the University of Cologne, Germany.
Previously, the same research team showed that vitamin D plays an important role in the production of cathelicidin, a molecule that helps the innate immune system kill TB bacteria.
The new study shows that vitamin D is needed for the T-cells in the adaptive immune system to produce the protein interferon, which directs cells to attack the bacteria.
The finding could bolster TB treatment efforts in settings like Africa, as dark-skinned people are more likely to be deficient in vitamin D. This is because dark skin contains more melanin, which shields the body from ultraviolet rays and reduces vitamin D production.
“At a time when drug-resistant forms of tuberculosis are emerging, understanding how to enhance natural innate and acquired immunity through vitamin D may be very helpful,” said Barry Bloom, former dean of faculty at the Harvard School of Public Health and a study co-author.
The report, “Vitamin D Is Required for IFN-?-Mediated Antimicrobial Activity of Human Macrophages,” was published in Science Translational Medicine (10.12.11;3(104):104ra102).
The Friends of AIDS Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.
TOGETHER WE REMAIN STRONG!
“Over the centuries, vitamin D has intrinsically been used to treat tuberculosis,” said lead author Mario Fabri. “Sanatoriums dedicated to tuberculosis patients were traditionally placed in sunny locations that seemed to help patients, but no one knew why this worked.”
“Our findings suggest that increasing vitamin D levels through supplementation may improve the immune response to infections such as tuberculosis,” said Fabri, who conducted the research while at the University of California-Los Angeles, and who now is at the Department of Dermatology at the University of Cologne, Germany.
Previously, the same research team showed that vitamin D plays an important role in the production of cathelicidin, a molecule that helps the innate immune system kill TB bacteria.
The new study shows that vitamin D is needed for the T-cells in the adaptive immune system to produce the protein interferon, which directs cells to attack the bacteria.
The finding could bolster TB treatment efforts in settings like Africa, as dark-skinned people are more likely to be deficient in vitamin D. This is because dark skin contains more melanin, which shields the body from ultraviolet rays and reduces vitamin D production.
“At a time when drug-resistant forms of tuberculosis are emerging, understanding how to enhance natural innate and acquired immunity through vitamin D may be very helpful,” said Barry Bloom, former dean of faculty at the Harvard School of Public Health and a study co-author.
The report, “Vitamin D Is Required for IFN-?-Mediated Antimicrobial Activity of Human Macrophages,” was published in Science Translational Medicine (10.12.11;3(104):104ra102).
The Friends of AIDS Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.
TOGETHER WE REMAIN STRONG!
Treatment Center Begins to Break AIDS Stigma
On Sept. 1, the first Family Care Center was inaugurated in Peshawar’s Hayatabad Medical Complex, where it will provide HIV testing, treatment, care, and counseling. The center already has 600 registered patients, including 175 from neighboring Afghanistan. The center provides antenatal care and child care and treatment under one roof, said gynecologist Lubna Hassan, its director.
“Today is the best day of my life,” said Gul Hamid, who tested HIV-positive two years ago in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and was immediately deported back to Pakistan. His family received excellent counseling at the center and have since become much friendlier to him, he said. “Finally, my family members are convinced that HIV/AIDS can’t be transmitted through handshakes or shared meals and utensils.”
Sultan Sher said psychologists at the center convinced his brothers, sisters, and uncles that HIV is not transmittable by casual contact.
“My brother, who tested positive in [the UAE city of] Sharjah one year ago, has faced a tough time since his return,” said Sher’s brother Alam.
“We have to do away with the stigma associated with the disease so people stop looking down upon patients and instead encourage them to talk openly about safety and prevention,” said Hassan.
Under an agreement, the center will train Afghan doctors and nurses to help them counsel and treat patients in their home country. In the future, the facility will become a Center of Excellence for South and Central Asia and train health care providers on HIV treatment and patient management, Hassan said.
The Friends of AIDS Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.
TOGETHER WE REMAIN STRONG!
“Today is the best day of my life,” said Gul Hamid, who tested HIV-positive two years ago in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and was immediately deported back to Pakistan. His family received excellent counseling at the center and have since become much friendlier to him, he said. “Finally, my family members are convinced that HIV/AIDS can’t be transmitted through handshakes or shared meals and utensils.”
Sultan Sher said psychologists at the center convinced his brothers, sisters, and uncles that HIV is not transmittable by casual contact.
“My brother, who tested positive in [the UAE city of] Sharjah one year ago, has faced a tough time since his return,” said Sher’s brother Alam.
“We have to do away with the stigma associated with the disease so people stop looking down upon patients and instead encourage them to talk openly about safety and prevention,” said Hassan.
Under an agreement, the center will train Afghan doctors and nurses to help them counsel and treat patients in their home country. In the future, the facility will become a Center of Excellence for South and Central Asia and train health care providers on HIV treatment and patient management, Hassan said.
The Friends of AIDS Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.
TOGETHER WE REMAIN STRONG!
Boys Should Get Routine HPV Vaccination, CDC Panel Says
All children ages 11-12, boys as well as girls, should routinely be vaccinated against human papillomavirus, CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommended Tuesday. CDC has recommended routine vaccination of girls for five years. Two years ago, ACIP issued a “permissive recommendation” on the shots for boys. Tuesday’s announcement upgrades this to “routine” - its highest recommendation.
Vaccinating boys will protect both them and their sexual partners from HPV-related cancer, doctors with CDC say. Although best known for causing cervical cancer, HPV also causes cancers of the anus, penis, back of the throat, vagina, and vulva, as well as genital warts. A study this week suggests HPV also is linked to heart disease in women.
“We are clearly seeing an epidemic of HPV-related head and neck cancers,” said Robert Haddad, chief of head and neck oncology at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston.
Vaccinating boys is especially important given the low uptake of the shots among girls, just 44 percent received their first dose of the three-injection series, a recent CDC study found. Just 1.5 percent of boys have been vaccinated, said Anne Schuchat, director of CDC’s National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases. Vaccinating boys will indirectly protect their future girlfriends or wives from cancer, Schuchat said.
“Today is another milestone in the nation’s battle against cancer,” said Schuchat. CDC, which typically adopts ACIP’s recommendations, is likely to formally approve adding HPV shots to the routine childhood immunization schedule within a couple of months, she said. Though many insurance plans already cover HPV shots for both boys and girls, a CDC recommendation will encourage others to pay for them as well, said Schuchat.
The Friends of AIDS Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.
TOGETHER WE REMAIN STRONG!
Vaccinating boys will protect both them and their sexual partners from HPV-related cancer, doctors with CDC say. Although best known for causing cervical cancer, HPV also causes cancers of the anus, penis, back of the throat, vagina, and vulva, as well as genital warts. A study this week suggests HPV also is linked to heart disease in women.
“We are clearly seeing an epidemic of HPV-related head and neck cancers,” said Robert Haddad, chief of head and neck oncology at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston.
Vaccinating boys is especially important given the low uptake of the shots among girls, just 44 percent received their first dose of the three-injection series, a recent CDC study found. Just 1.5 percent of boys have been vaccinated, said Anne Schuchat, director of CDC’s National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases. Vaccinating boys will indirectly protect their future girlfriends or wives from cancer, Schuchat said.
“Today is another milestone in the nation’s battle against cancer,” said Schuchat. CDC, which typically adopts ACIP’s recommendations, is likely to formally approve adding HPV shots to the routine childhood immunization schedule within a couple of months, she said. Though many insurance plans already cover HPV shots for both boys and girls, a CDC recommendation will encourage others to pay for them as well, said Schuchat.
The Friends of AIDS Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.
TOGETHER WE REMAIN STRONG!
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Proposed DC Legislation Aims To Reduce HIV/AIDS Cases Among Senior Citizens
The number of new HIV/AIDS cases among older residents is on the rise across the country. It is especially high in D.C.
Experts say many seniors chose not to use protection during sex because many don't feel there is a danger of being infected. When many seniors are infected with HIV/AIDS, they rarely find out the infection until they are sick. Despite efforts from the medical community, many seniors don't routinely get tested for HIV/AIDS.
D.C. Council Member David Catania is introducing the Senior HIV/AIDS Education and Outreach Program. Under his plan, D.C. Health Department officials will be required to recruit and train senior citizens to be peer educators on HIV/AIDS. Senior peer groups will offer advice and conduct workshops in senior centers, nursing, and retirement homes.
If passed by the full council, this senior peer education will be the first of its kind in the country.
The Friends of AIDS Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.
TOGETHER WE REMAIN STRONG!
Experts say many seniors chose not to use protection during sex because many don't feel there is a danger of being infected. When many seniors are infected with HIV/AIDS, they rarely find out the infection until they are sick. Despite efforts from the medical community, many seniors don't routinely get tested for HIV/AIDS.
D.C. Council Member David Catania is introducing the Senior HIV/AIDS Education and Outreach Program. Under his plan, D.C. Health Department officials will be required to recruit and train senior citizens to be peer educators on HIV/AIDS. Senior peer groups will offer advice and conduct workshops in senior centers, nursing, and retirement homes.
If passed by the full council, this senior peer education will be the first of its kind in the country.
The Friends of AIDS Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.
TOGETHER WE REMAIN STRONG!
HIV Positive Man Arrested On Charges Of Infecting Woman
An East St. Louis man who has the virus that causes AIDS has been arrested almost nine months after being charged with intentionally infecting a woman.
For months, police have been looking for 36-year-old Zachary Forest and they arrested him at a St. Louis home shortly after 9 a.m. Tuesday.
Forest has been on the run since he was charged March 2.
Forest fled East St. Louis and hid in St. Louis until the U.S. Marshals Service of Southern Illinois developed information that he was at a St. Louis residence. They along with members of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department set up surveillance at the spot where they had learned he frequented. When he showed up, he was arrested without incident.
The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department's Violent Offender's unit worked jointly with the marshals from Illinois.
Forest was arrested in the 3400 block of Linton Avenue in St. Louis. The arrest warrant shows he is charged with criminal transmission of HIV. He is being detained in a St. Louis jail on $700,000 bail.
"We're very pleased to have him in custody," St. Clair County State's Attorney Brendan Kelly said. "And, anyone who has had sexual contact with him should seek medical attention and contact law enforcement."
This is the second criminal case in the metro-east this month involving the transmission of HIV.
Patrick Wayne Gregory, 26, was charged with one count of criminal transmission of HIV in Madison County. He also faces three counts of the same felony charge in St. Louis, from occurrences dating back to March 2010.
In order to be charged with criminal transmission in Illinois, the person must know he or she is infected with HIV and has intimate contact or fluid transfer with another person without informing them of the danger.
A victim doesn't actually have to contract AIDS for someone to be charged in this type of case, according to Illinois law.
The Friends of AIDS Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.
TOGETHER WE REMAIN STRONG!
For months, police have been looking for 36-year-old Zachary Forest and they arrested him at a St. Louis home shortly after 9 a.m. Tuesday.
Forest has been on the run since he was charged March 2.
Forest fled East St. Louis and hid in St. Louis until the U.S. Marshals Service of Southern Illinois developed information that he was at a St. Louis residence. They along with members of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department set up surveillance at the spot where they had learned he frequented. When he showed up, he was arrested without incident.
The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department's Violent Offender's unit worked jointly with the marshals from Illinois.
Forest was arrested in the 3400 block of Linton Avenue in St. Louis. The arrest warrant shows he is charged with criminal transmission of HIV. He is being detained in a St. Louis jail on $700,000 bail.
"We're very pleased to have him in custody," St. Clair County State's Attorney Brendan Kelly said. "And, anyone who has had sexual contact with him should seek medical attention and contact law enforcement."
This is the second criminal case in the metro-east this month involving the transmission of HIV.
Patrick Wayne Gregory, 26, was charged with one count of criminal transmission of HIV in Madison County. He also faces three counts of the same felony charge in St. Louis, from occurrences dating back to March 2010.
In order to be charged with criminal transmission in Illinois, the person must know he or she is infected with HIV and has intimate contact or fluid transfer with another person without informing them of the danger.
A victim doesn't actually have to contract AIDS for someone to be charged in this type of case, according to Illinois law.
The Friends of AIDS Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.
TOGETHER WE REMAIN STRONG!
HIV Associated With An Increased Risk Of Cataract Surgery
HIV-positive patients are signficantly more likely to undergo surgery to remove cataracts in the eye, according to Danish research published in Clinical Infectious Diseases. A low CD4 cell count before and after the initiation of antiretroviral therapy was associated with cataracts, but there was no evidence that any individual anti-HIV drug was associated with an elevated risk of the condition.
Cataracts are cloudy patches that develop on the lens of the eye, either as a result of ageing or as a long-term consequence of viral infections and inflammation affecting the eye. Long-term corticosteroid treatment may also raise the risk of cataract development.
The investigators suggest that cataracts may be one of the “diseases of aging” associated with HIV. They add that doctors should be aware of the condition, “however, taking the level of excess risk into consideration, there seems to be no indication for special ophthalmic examinations for cataracts or changes in treatment strategies.”
Advances in treatment and care have resulted in dramatic improvements in the life expectancy of patients with HIV. Nevertheless, the anticipated life span of HIV-positive patients is still shorter than that of the general population. This is partly because patients with HIV have an increased risk of so-called diseases of aging – for example cardiovascular disease, kidney and liver problems, osteoporosis, and some cancers. The exact reasons for this are controversial, but could include immune suppression, the inflammatory effects of HIV, co-infections, life-style factors, and the side-effects of some antiretroviral drugs.
Cataracts are well recognised as a disease of older age, and Danish investigators wished to see if they occurred with greater frequency in HIV-positive patients than in the general population.
Their study sample included the 5315 patients in the Danish national HIV cohort. Each patient was matched with ten HIV-negative individuals of the same sex and a similar age from the general Danish population.
The investigators compared the incidence of cataract surgery between the HIV-positive and HIV-negative populations. They also conducted a series of analyses to see if there were any factors associated with cataract formation in the HIV-positive patients.
Three-quarters of the HIV-positive patients were men and their median age was 37 years. A total of 44, 561 person years of follow-up were contributed by the HIV-positive individuals, and 555, 902 person years by the control population.
Cataract surgery was performed on 90 (1.7%) HIV-positive patients and 718 (1.4%) of controls. Eye disease that can predispose an individual to cataracts was detected in 252 (5%) of the patients with HIV and 494 (1%) of the HIV-negative individuals.
Overall the investigators found a higher risk of cataract surgery in the HIV-positive population compared to the controls (IRR = 1.87%; 95% CI, 1.50-2.33).
A CD4 cell count below 200 cells/mm3 was associated with an increased risk of cataract surgery, both before starting HIV treatment (IRR = 3.11; 95% CI, 1.26-7.63) and after starting such treatment (IRR = 4.74; 95% CI, 2.60-8.62).
Comparison with the HIV-negative controls showed that HIV-infected individuals treated with antiretroviral drugs and a CD4 cell count above 200 cells/mm3 also had a significantly increased risk of cataract surgery (IRR = 1.87; 95% CI, 1.46-2.39).
Nevertheless there was no evidence that any individual antiretroviral drug increased the risk of cataracts.
“This study found a higher risk of cataract surgery in HIV-infected individuals compared with a non-HIV-infected age- and sex-matched comparison cohort,” comment the investigators. “Although the risk of ocular disease predisposing to cataract is higher in HIV-infected individuals, we found the risk of cataract surgery was not driven only by the high occurrence of such events.”
They emphasise that a CD4 cell count below 200 cells/mm3 appeared to be associated with an especially increased risk of cataracts regardless of the use of HIV therapy, adding “no statistically significant excess risk was observed after initiation of abacavir, tenofovir, PIs [protease inhibitors], or NNRTIs [non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors].”
The increased risk was apparent in all age ranges above 35 years of age.
The investigators are uncertain about the exact reasons why infection with HIV is associated with an increased risk of cataracts. Ocular disease was considered as a possible cause, as were the side-effects caused by anti-HIV drugs.
However, they add that the use of HIV therapy “could also be an indicator of a population at increased risk of developing illness rather than indicating the toxic effect on the eye induced by HAART [highly active antiretroviral therapy].”
Mindful that HIV has been associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and other diseases of aging, the investigators conclude, “accelerated aging in the HIV-infected population cannot be excluded as a possible part of the explanation.”
The Friends of AIDS Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.
TOGETHER WE REMAIN STRONG!
Cataracts are cloudy patches that develop on the lens of the eye, either as a result of ageing or as a long-term consequence of viral infections and inflammation affecting the eye. Long-term corticosteroid treatment may also raise the risk of cataract development.
The investigators suggest that cataracts may be one of the “diseases of aging” associated with HIV. They add that doctors should be aware of the condition, “however, taking the level of excess risk into consideration, there seems to be no indication for special ophthalmic examinations for cataracts or changes in treatment strategies.”
Advances in treatment and care have resulted in dramatic improvements in the life expectancy of patients with HIV. Nevertheless, the anticipated life span of HIV-positive patients is still shorter than that of the general population. This is partly because patients with HIV have an increased risk of so-called diseases of aging – for example cardiovascular disease, kidney and liver problems, osteoporosis, and some cancers. The exact reasons for this are controversial, but could include immune suppression, the inflammatory effects of HIV, co-infections, life-style factors, and the side-effects of some antiretroviral drugs.
Cataracts are well recognised as a disease of older age, and Danish investigators wished to see if they occurred with greater frequency in HIV-positive patients than in the general population.
Their study sample included the 5315 patients in the Danish national HIV cohort. Each patient was matched with ten HIV-negative individuals of the same sex and a similar age from the general Danish population.
The investigators compared the incidence of cataract surgery between the HIV-positive and HIV-negative populations. They also conducted a series of analyses to see if there were any factors associated with cataract formation in the HIV-positive patients.
Three-quarters of the HIV-positive patients were men and their median age was 37 years. A total of 44, 561 person years of follow-up were contributed by the HIV-positive individuals, and 555, 902 person years by the control population.
Cataract surgery was performed on 90 (1.7%) HIV-positive patients and 718 (1.4%) of controls. Eye disease that can predispose an individual to cataracts was detected in 252 (5%) of the patients with HIV and 494 (1%) of the HIV-negative individuals.
Overall the investigators found a higher risk of cataract surgery in the HIV-positive population compared to the controls (IRR = 1.87%; 95% CI, 1.50-2.33).
A CD4 cell count below 200 cells/mm3 was associated with an increased risk of cataract surgery, both before starting HIV treatment (IRR = 3.11; 95% CI, 1.26-7.63) and after starting such treatment (IRR = 4.74; 95% CI, 2.60-8.62).
Comparison with the HIV-negative controls showed that HIV-infected individuals treated with antiretroviral drugs and a CD4 cell count above 200 cells/mm3 also had a significantly increased risk of cataract surgery (IRR = 1.87; 95% CI, 1.46-2.39).
Nevertheless there was no evidence that any individual antiretroviral drug increased the risk of cataracts.
“This study found a higher risk of cataract surgery in HIV-infected individuals compared with a non-HIV-infected age- and sex-matched comparison cohort,” comment the investigators. “Although the risk of ocular disease predisposing to cataract is higher in HIV-infected individuals, we found the risk of cataract surgery was not driven only by the high occurrence of such events.”
They emphasise that a CD4 cell count below 200 cells/mm3 appeared to be associated with an especially increased risk of cataracts regardless of the use of HIV therapy, adding “no statistically significant excess risk was observed after initiation of abacavir, tenofovir, PIs [protease inhibitors], or NNRTIs [non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors].”
The increased risk was apparent in all age ranges above 35 years of age.
The investigators are uncertain about the exact reasons why infection with HIV is associated with an increased risk of cataracts. Ocular disease was considered as a possible cause, as were the side-effects caused by anti-HIV drugs.
However, they add that the use of HIV therapy “could also be an indicator of a population at increased risk of developing illness rather than indicating the toxic effect on the eye induced by HAART [highly active antiretroviral therapy].”
Mindful that HIV has been associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and other diseases of aging, the investigators conclude, “accelerated aging in the HIV-infected population cannot be excluded as a possible part of the explanation.”
The Friends of AIDS Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.
TOGETHER WE REMAIN STRONG!
HIV/AIDS Medication Could Come From A Patch
HIV and AIDS medication may soon be delivered via a patch, though testing is still preliminary, researchers funded by the National Institutes of Health announced at a conference Tuesday.
"The huge potential advantage of a patch, depending on how long it secretes the right level of drug, is the ability to maintain the right level of the drug without the fluctuations observed when adherence to pills is less than perfect," Rowena Johnston, director of research for the Foundation for AIDS Research, told HealthDay.
Researchers led by Anthony Ham, director of formulations at ImQuest BioSciences, used transdermal patches to transmit 96 percent of an experimental AIDS drug over the course of a week to simulated skin. The next stage, he said, is to test the patch on animals.
"These patches require a low cost to manufacture, have a high rate of release and are able to inhibit HIV infection," Ham said.
Already, 70 percent of newly treated HIV patients in the U.S. take just one pill a day, according to Johnston. She told HealthDay the patch could also be used to convey medication that prevents people from getting HIV.
"We are encouraged by these results, and we're ready to go to the next stage of developments," said Ham. He presented the findings Tuesday at the American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists annual meeting in Washington, D.C.
The Friends of AIDS Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.
TOGETHER WE REMAIN STRONG!
"The huge potential advantage of a patch, depending on how long it secretes the right level of drug, is the ability to maintain the right level of the drug without the fluctuations observed when adherence to pills is less than perfect," Rowena Johnston, director of research for the Foundation for AIDS Research, told HealthDay.
Researchers led by Anthony Ham, director of formulations at ImQuest BioSciences, used transdermal patches to transmit 96 percent of an experimental AIDS drug over the course of a week to simulated skin. The next stage, he said, is to test the patch on animals.
"These patches require a low cost to manufacture, have a high rate of release and are able to inhibit HIV infection," Ham said.
Already, 70 percent of newly treated HIV patients in the U.S. take just one pill a day, according to Johnston. She told HealthDay the patch could also be used to convey medication that prevents people from getting HIV.
"We are encouraged by these results, and we're ready to go to the next stage of developments," said Ham. He presented the findings Tuesday at the American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists annual meeting in Washington, D.C.
The Friends of AIDS Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.
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Tuesday, October 25, 2011
For HIV Counselor, Prevention Begins with Self-Esteem
Abusive relationships are linked to about 12 percent of HIV infections among US women, according to a recent University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing study. HIV-related shame and stigma often play a role in such relationships, said Evany Turk, a peer advocate for the Living Positively Project at the University of Chicago Comer Children’s Hospital.
“A lot of these young women, especially black girls, have never been told they are worth anything,” said Turk. “Many of them are former wards of the state growing up in poverty. They’ve never had parents to tell them they’re wonderful or they’re beautiful or they’re loved.”
For some, the threat of HIV is seen as less dangerous than a confrontation with their partner about anything, including condom use, Turk said. “They perceive men as having so much more power than they have,” she said.
“He tells her, ‘I can do whatever I want to you because you’re [HIV-positive and] damaged goods,’” Turk recalled about one recently infected young female client whose abusive, HIV-positive boyfriend always refused to use condoms. “She’s sure that’s how she got it,” Turk said.
Coercive strategies are even more effective if the woman sees herself as “damaged,” said Anne Teitelman, one of the study’s authors. “Partner abuse is the most overt form of what we’re talking about. But there are other types of coercion, which is emotional manipulation. There is a self-silencing among some younger teens and they don’t feel they can speak up about their own sexuality. And if a guy pressures them [about not using a condom], he doesn’t have to pressure too much.”
Young women need to learn condom negotiating skills before sexual debut; how to ensure the condom is on and stays on during sex; how to define healthy and unhealthy relationships; and how to recognize when negotiating strategies are not working and safely leave a relationship, Teitelman said.
The Friends of AIDS Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.
TOGETHER WE REMAIN STRONG!
“A lot of these young women, especially black girls, have never been told they are worth anything,” said Turk. “Many of them are former wards of the state growing up in poverty. They’ve never had parents to tell them they’re wonderful or they’re beautiful or they’re loved.”
For some, the threat of HIV is seen as less dangerous than a confrontation with their partner about anything, including condom use, Turk said. “They perceive men as having so much more power than they have,” she said.
“He tells her, ‘I can do whatever I want to you because you’re [HIV-positive and] damaged goods,’” Turk recalled about one recently infected young female client whose abusive, HIV-positive boyfriend always refused to use condoms. “She’s sure that’s how she got it,” Turk said.
Coercive strategies are even more effective if the woman sees herself as “damaged,” said Anne Teitelman, one of the study’s authors. “Partner abuse is the most overt form of what we’re talking about. But there are other types of coercion, which is emotional manipulation. There is a self-silencing among some younger teens and they don’t feel they can speak up about their own sexuality. And if a guy pressures them [about not using a condom], he doesn’t have to pressure too much.”
Young women need to learn condom negotiating skills before sexual debut; how to ensure the condom is on and stays on during sex; how to define healthy and unhealthy relationships; and how to recognize when negotiating strategies are not working and safely leave a relationship, Teitelman said.
The Friends of AIDS Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.
TOGETHER WE REMAIN STRONG!
Text, Internet Addicts at Risk of Getting HIV
Many young Filipinos use the Internet to arrange sexual encounters, a practice that could also fuel the spread of HIV, according to an AIDS Society of the Philippines (ASP) study presented Oct. 21 at the society’s general science meeting in Quezon City. The study was based on interviews with 650 young workers in Manila and 330 in Laguna in 2009, and 10 focus groups and 15 interviews conducted last year.
At least 47 percent of the 334 male respondents in Manila said they used text-messaging to arrange sexual encounters, while 39 percent chose online chat rooms. Just 14.6 percent of the 316 females from Manila said they used chat rooms to initiate a meet-up; 25 percent said they arranged meetings using their mobile phones.
Altogether, from two to five out of 10 Filipinos ages 18-29 used text-messaging and chat rooms to meet potential sex partners. At least 29 percent of non-LGBT respondents from Manila used text-messaging for this purpose, and 17.6 percent went to chat rooms. However, 52 percent of the 214 LGBT respondents said they used text-messaging, and 48 percent used chat rooms, to arrange sexual encounters.
From January to August of this year, the Department of Health has recorded 1,350 new HIV cases and 66 AIDS cases. Of these patients, 97 percent acquired the infection sexually, and most were men who have sex with men.
The Friends of AIDS Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.
TOGETHER WE REMAIN STRONG!
At least 47 percent of the 334 male respondents in Manila said they used text-messaging to arrange sexual encounters, while 39 percent chose online chat rooms. Just 14.6 percent of the 316 females from Manila said they used chat rooms to initiate a meet-up; 25 percent said they arranged meetings using their mobile phones.
Altogether, from two to five out of 10 Filipinos ages 18-29 used text-messaging and chat rooms to meet potential sex partners. At least 29 percent of non-LGBT respondents from Manila used text-messaging for this purpose, and 17.6 percent went to chat rooms. However, 52 percent of the 214 LGBT respondents said they used text-messaging, and 48 percent used chat rooms, to arrange sexual encounters.
From January to August of this year, the Department of Health has recorded 1,350 new HIV cases and 66 AIDS cases. Of these patients, 97 percent acquired the infection sexually, and most were men who have sex with men.
The Friends of AIDS Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.
TOGETHER WE REMAIN STRONG!
HIV Expert Urges Creation of Needle Exchange in Canada's Prisons
Prison-based needle-exchange programs (NEPs) could help reduce the high rate of HIV and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections among Canada’s prisoners, a senior analyst testified during an Oct. 20 House of Commons standing committee meeting. The level of HIV among Canadian prisoners is at least 10 times greater than in the general population, and the HCV rate is at least 20 times greater, the Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network reported last year.
“Prison health is public health. There’s no reason to treat prisoners any differently than people in the community who are struggling with addiction,” the network’s Sandra Ka Hon Chu told the committee on public safety and national security, which was discussing drug use in federal prisons.
However, Tory MP Candice Hoeppner countered that the proposal for prison-based NEPs “completely ignored” the safety of prison staff and would help “inmates who are addicted to drugs access more drugs and access paraphernalia to administer those drugs against the safety of officers.” “How can you practically say, and try to make us believe, that needles would not be used as weapons against officers?” she asked.
NEPs have been introduced in more than 60 prisons worldwide, including in Switzerland, Germany, and Spain. In nearly two decades of existence, needles issued by prison NEPs have never been used as weapons, Chu said.
“Although people who inject drugs may inject less frequently in prisons, the scarcity of sterile syringes and the punitive consequences of drug use mean prisoners resort to using non-sterile injecting equipment,” the network’s report said. “A needle may circulate among large numbers of prisoners who inject drugs, thereby increasing the risk of transmission of HIV and HCV.”
Canada’s prison ombudsman, Howard Sapers, advocated for prison-based NEPs in his 2005-06 report.
The Friends of AIDS Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.
TOGETHER WE REMAIN STRONG!
“Prison health is public health. There’s no reason to treat prisoners any differently than people in the community who are struggling with addiction,” the network’s Sandra Ka Hon Chu told the committee on public safety and national security, which was discussing drug use in federal prisons.
However, Tory MP Candice Hoeppner countered that the proposal for prison-based NEPs “completely ignored” the safety of prison staff and would help “inmates who are addicted to drugs access more drugs and access paraphernalia to administer those drugs against the safety of officers.” “How can you practically say, and try to make us believe, that needles would not be used as weapons against officers?” she asked.
NEPs have been introduced in more than 60 prisons worldwide, including in Switzerland, Germany, and Spain. In nearly two decades of existence, needles issued by prison NEPs have never been used as weapons, Chu said.
“Although people who inject drugs may inject less frequently in prisons, the scarcity of sterile syringes and the punitive consequences of drug use mean prisoners resort to using non-sterile injecting equipment,” the network’s report said. “A needle may circulate among large numbers of prisoners who inject drugs, thereby increasing the risk of transmission of HIV and HCV.”
Canada’s prison ombudsman, Howard Sapers, advocated for prison-based NEPs in his 2005-06 report.
The Friends of AIDS Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.
TOGETHER WE REMAIN STRONG!
Commonwealth Urged to Tackle Homophobic Laws
Ahead of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) this week in Perth, leaders tasked with developing reform options for member nations said homophobia and laws that criminalize gay sex must be addressed.
Anti-gay statutes are still in force in 41 of 54 Commonwealth nations. “It’s a very special British problem. And the problem is it makes it very difficult to get messages about HIV out,” said Michael Kirby, a retired High Court judge and Australia’s representative on the Eminent Persons Group (EPG).
Kirby expects cultural and religious objections from member nations, mainly comprising former British colonies from Canada to Cameroon and from New Zealand to Nigeria. “But you need to remove the criminal laws, and that is what the [EPG] is suggesting for the CHOGM meeting,” Kirby said.
Though not every Commonwealth country actively prosecutes gays, the effect of punitive laws is the creation of an environment in which people are fearful about seeking help or advice, said Rob Lake, executive director of the Australian Federation of AIDS Organizations. “When people are forced to hide, or cover who they are and what they do ... they are not the people who get the messages about prevention, get the messages about treatment,” he said. “And that’s one of the factors in these high rates in Commonwealth countries,” which are home to some 30 percent of the world’s population but 60 percent of HIV/AIDS cases.
CHOGM leaders also will debate whether the body should adopt a charter of common values and create an office of commissioner for democracy, rule of law, and human rights.
The Friends of AIDS Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.
TOGETHER WE REMAIN STRONG!
Anti-gay statutes are still in force in 41 of 54 Commonwealth nations. “It’s a very special British problem. And the problem is it makes it very difficult to get messages about HIV out,” said Michael Kirby, a retired High Court judge and Australia’s representative on the Eminent Persons Group (EPG).
Kirby expects cultural and religious objections from member nations, mainly comprising former British colonies from Canada to Cameroon and from New Zealand to Nigeria. “But you need to remove the criminal laws, and that is what the [EPG] is suggesting for the CHOGM meeting,” Kirby said.
Though not every Commonwealth country actively prosecutes gays, the effect of punitive laws is the creation of an environment in which people are fearful about seeking help or advice, said Rob Lake, executive director of the Australian Federation of AIDS Organizations. “When people are forced to hide, or cover who they are and what they do ... they are not the people who get the messages about prevention, get the messages about treatment,” he said. “And that’s one of the factors in these high rates in Commonwealth countries,” which are home to some 30 percent of the world’s population but 60 percent of HIV/AIDS cases.
CHOGM leaders also will debate whether the body should adopt a charter of common values and create an office of commissioner for democracy, rule of law, and human rights.
The Friends of AIDS Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.
TOGETHER WE REMAIN STRONG!
State Senator Pam Galloway Pushes Abstinence Bill
A new bill introduced by state Sens. Pam Galloway and Mary Lazich would roll back the Healthy Youth Act, a comprehensive sex education initiative passed last year to help reduce rates of STDs and pregnancy among young people.
Under the proposed legislation, Wisconsin school districts offering sexual health courses would no longer be required to teach about birth control. Instead, districts could choose to adopt an abstinence-only or a comprehensive curriculum, provided abstinence is taught as the preferred choice for unmarried students; instruction is given on parental responsibility and the socioeconomic benefits of marriage; and pregnancy, prenatal development, and childbirth are explained.
School districts would no longer be required to notify parents if human development instruction is not offered, and volunteer health care providers would not be permitted to teach these courses.
Galloway said the new bill is intended to return curriculum control to local school boards. “The Healthy Youth Act was a one-size-fits-all approach,” she said.
At a packed committee hearing on Oct. 19, critics of the measure said it will increase pregnancy and STD rates among teens.
The Friends of AIDS Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.
TOGETHER WE REMAIN STRONG!
Under the proposed legislation, Wisconsin school districts offering sexual health courses would no longer be required to teach about birth control. Instead, districts could choose to adopt an abstinence-only or a comprehensive curriculum, provided abstinence is taught as the preferred choice for unmarried students; instruction is given on parental responsibility and the socioeconomic benefits of marriage; and pregnancy, prenatal development, and childbirth are explained.
School districts would no longer be required to notify parents if human development instruction is not offered, and volunteer health care providers would not be permitted to teach these courses.
Galloway said the new bill is intended to return curriculum control to local school boards. “The Healthy Youth Act was a one-size-fits-all approach,” she said.
At a packed committee hearing on Oct. 19, critics of the measure said it will increase pregnancy and STD rates among teens.
The Friends of AIDS Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.
TOGETHER WE REMAIN STRONG!
When Alienated by Past Providers, LGBT Patients Are Often Reluctant to Seek Medical Care
Researchers say STDs are among the health problems LGBT people are more likely to experience than their heterosexual peers. One key reason is that fear of or experience of stigma from their provider keeps many LGBTs from seeking health care. Doctors could help by asking better questions, LGBT-competent providers say.
In getting to know transgender patients, a provider can ask, "How do you like to be called?” suggested Dr. Carole Allen, chief of pediatrics at Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates. Such an approach is important in speaking with adolescents who may be questioning their sexual orientation or gender, Allen said.
“As soon as you say to a patient, ‘Do you have a girlfriend?’ you’ve automatically cut off that conversation,” said Allen. About 10 years ago, Allen began asking “Have you noticed any attraction to boys or girls or both?”
“Some kids will laugh,” said Allen. “But I’ve heard some kids say, ‘I haven’t decided’ or ‘I don’t know.’”
Some youths had not talked about their sexuality with anyone else. Allen helps link confiding kids to the services they need and can talk about relevant safe-sex practices.
“It’s not necessarily what people say, it’s sort of what they don’t say,” said Tina Gelsomino, an administrator at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and co-chair of an LGBT staff group. Patient intake forms, for instance, rarely have space for patients to disclose their sexual orientation or transgender identity.
“Imagine how you would feel if you have an illness ... and you’re going to somebody [for health care] where you have to explain it to them,” said Joanne Herman, who underwent a sex-change operation in 2003. Herman said her previous doctor could not provide a gynecological exam without mentioning her lack of a cervix. Now at Boston’s Fenway Health, “my primary care doctor does my GYN exam, and it’s done without commentary,” she said.
The Friends of AIDS Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.
TOGETHER WE REMAIN STRONG!
In getting to know transgender patients, a provider can ask, "How do you like to be called?” suggested Dr. Carole Allen, chief of pediatrics at Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates. Such an approach is important in speaking with adolescents who may be questioning their sexual orientation or gender, Allen said.
“As soon as you say to a patient, ‘Do you have a girlfriend?’ you’ve automatically cut off that conversation,” said Allen. About 10 years ago, Allen began asking “Have you noticed any attraction to boys or girls or both?”
“Some kids will laugh,” said Allen. “But I’ve heard some kids say, ‘I haven’t decided’ or ‘I don’t know.’”
Some youths had not talked about their sexuality with anyone else. Allen helps link confiding kids to the services they need and can talk about relevant safe-sex practices.
“It’s not necessarily what people say, it’s sort of what they don’t say,” said Tina Gelsomino, an administrator at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and co-chair of an LGBT staff group. Patient intake forms, for instance, rarely have space for patients to disclose their sexual orientation or transgender identity.
“Imagine how you would feel if you have an illness ... and you’re going to somebody [for health care] where you have to explain it to them,” said Joanne Herman, who underwent a sex-change operation in 2003. Herman said her previous doctor could not provide a gynecological exam without mentioning her lack of a cervix. Now at Boston’s Fenway Health, “my primary care doctor does my GYN exam, and it’s done without commentary,” she said.
The Friends of AIDS Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.
TOGETHER WE REMAIN STRONG!
Epidemiological Impact of Tenofovir Gel on the HIV Epidemic in South Africa
In a previous randomized controlled trial in South Africa, a tenofovir-based vaginal microbicide gel reduced HIV acquisition in women by 39 percent. To better inform policy, the current study assessed the population-level impact of this antiretroviral-based gel on HIV incidence, prevalence and deaths, and cost-effectiveness, using a dynamic model of HIV transmission calibrated to South Africa’s epidemic.
The results showed that if used by women in 80 percent or more of sexual encounters (high coverage), the gel could prevent 2.33 (0.12 to 4.63) million new infections and save 1.30 (0.07 to 2.42) million lives over the next 20 years. A lower coverage, use of the gel in only 25 percent of sexual encounters, could avert 0.50 (0.04 to 0.77) million new infections and save 0.29 (0.02 to 0.44) million lives over the next 20 years.
At $0.50 per application, the cost per HIV infection prevented at low coverage would be $2,392 ($562 to $4,222), and the cost per disability-adjusted life year saved would be $104 ($27 to $181). High coverage would cut these costs by about 30 percent.
“Over 20 years, the use of tenofovir gel in South Africa could avert up to 2 million new infections and 1 million AIDS deaths,” the study authors concluded. “Even with low rates of gel use, it is highly cost-effective and compares favorably with other control methods. This female-controlled prevention method could have a significant impact on the epidemic of HIV in South Africa. Programs should aim to achieve gel use in more than 25 percent of sexual encounters to significantly alter the course of the epidemic.”
The Friends of AIDS Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.
TOGETHER WE REMAIN STRONG!
The results showed that if used by women in 80 percent or more of sexual encounters (high coverage), the gel could prevent 2.33 (0.12 to 4.63) million new infections and save 1.30 (0.07 to 2.42) million lives over the next 20 years. A lower coverage, use of the gel in only 25 percent of sexual encounters, could avert 0.50 (0.04 to 0.77) million new infections and save 0.29 (0.02 to 0.44) million lives over the next 20 years.
At $0.50 per application, the cost per HIV infection prevented at low coverage would be $2,392 ($562 to $4,222), and the cost per disability-adjusted life year saved would be $104 ($27 to $181). High coverage would cut these costs by about 30 percent.
“Over 20 years, the use of tenofovir gel in South Africa could avert up to 2 million new infections and 1 million AIDS deaths,” the study authors concluded. “Even with low rates of gel use, it is highly cost-effective and compares favorably with other control methods. This female-controlled prevention method could have a significant impact on the epidemic of HIV in South Africa. Programs should aim to achieve gel use in more than 25 percent of sexual encounters to significantly alter the course of the epidemic.”
The Friends of AIDS Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.
TOGETHER WE REMAIN STRONG!
Vaginal Gel to Prevent HIV Works Better Against Genital Herpes
A vaginal gel with the HIV drug tenofovir, which was created to reduce the odds of HIV transmission, has proved surprisingly effective against genital herpes, The New York Times reports.
In a 2010 clinical trial in South Africa, the gel reduced HIV transmission through vaginal intercourse by 39 percent, while reducing genital herpes transmission by 51 percent.
A recent study sought to explain the mechanics behind this unexpected result; it found that tenofovir helps disrupt an enzyme herpes needs to duplicate itself. In pill form, tenofovir reduces HIV transmission but has no effect on herpes.
Gilead Sciences, which makes tenofovir, is deciding whether to seek approval for marketing the gel as a herpes prevention in the United States. Herpes is more common than HIV. The presence of herpes and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can increase the risk of contracting HIV.
To read the Times article,visit: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/21/health/research/21herpes.html?_r=2&ref=aids.
The Friends of AIDS Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.
TOGETHER WE REMAIN STRONG!
In a 2010 clinical trial in South Africa, the gel reduced HIV transmission through vaginal intercourse by 39 percent, while reducing genital herpes transmission by 51 percent.
A recent study sought to explain the mechanics behind this unexpected result; it found that tenofovir helps disrupt an enzyme herpes needs to duplicate itself. In pill form, tenofovir reduces HIV transmission but has no effect on herpes.
Gilead Sciences, which makes tenofovir, is deciding whether to seek approval for marketing the gel as a herpes prevention in the United States. Herpes is more common than HIV. The presence of herpes and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can increase the risk of contracting HIV.
To read the Times article,visit: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/21/health/research/21herpes.html?_r=2&ref=aids.
The Friends of AIDS Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.
TOGETHER WE REMAIN STRONG!
Global Fund to Transfer Control of Mali AIDS Grant
As a result of financial mismanagement, the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria is transferring control of a $28 million grant from Mali’s national AIDS council to a new principal recipient, according to a Global Fund statement.
Until the end of 2011, access to the money will be limited to providing antiretroviral (ARV) treatment—currently 25,288 people in Mali are receiving ARVs. All other expenditures have been suspended.
This is the latest in a series of mismanagement issues surrounding Global Fund activity in Mali. A $13 million AIDS grant was suspended earlier this year. In 2010, two malaria grants were suspended and a tuberculosis grant was terminated because of financial malfeasance.
To read the Global Fund statement,visit: http://www.theglobalfund.org/en/mediacenter/pressreleases/2011-10-19_Global_Fund_to_transfer_management_of_HIV_grant_in_Mali/.
The Friends of AIDS Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.
TOGETHER WE REMAIN STRONG!
Until the end of 2011, access to the money will be limited to providing antiretroviral (ARV) treatment—currently 25,288 people in Mali are receiving ARVs. All other expenditures have been suspended.
This is the latest in a series of mismanagement issues surrounding Global Fund activity in Mali. A $13 million AIDS grant was suspended earlier this year. In 2010, two malaria grants were suspended and a tuberculosis grant was terminated because of financial malfeasance.
To read the Global Fund statement,visit: http://www.theglobalfund.org/en/mediacenter/pressreleases/2011-10-19_Global_Fund_to_transfer_management_of_HIV_grant_in_Mali/.
The Friends of AIDS Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.
TOGETHER WE REMAIN STRONG!
Stopping the HIV Epidemic in Russia
The Russian government put itself in the spotlight of the international health community by organizing a high-level forum in Moscow two weeks ago on halting the spread of infectious diseases such as HIV. A goal agreed upon by all member states of the United Nations strives to halt and reverse the spread of infectious diseases, among which are HIV and AIDS, by 2015. Russia positioned itself at that conference as a leader in the battle against HIV.
Indeed, Russia has some things to boast of: Transmission of HIV from mother to child during pregnancy is almost eliminated, and many more Russians with AIDS are receiving medication against their disease than ever before. But HIV in Russia is growing because the government has not addressed HIV transmission in the group where it matters most: intravenous drug users. Nearly 80 percent of people with HIV in Russia got their infection through drug use, and new cases continue to occur among the country’s 1.8 million drug users.
There are evidence-based interventions that many countries have adopted and that lead to demonstrably lower HIV transmission, based on reducing the harm that drug use brings about, including the spread of HIV by contaminated injections. It is important to exchange used needles and syringes for clean ones among users that cannot or will not kick the habit, and it is equally important that those users who want to get clean are admitted to high-quality rehabilitation programs.
True, needle exchange does not cure opiate addiction, as some of our Russian critics argue. But we treat diabetes with insulin and are perfectly happy with this noncurative approach that hugely improves the quality of life of diabetics.
The scientific evidence that this approach works against the spread of HIV has been around for years. Methadone programs prevent new HIV infections, and they also help reduce petty crime, while fears that needle exchanges spread injection drug use have proved unfounded. But Russia has largely ignored these facts, much to the frustration of international organizations including the UN and much to the disappointment of nongovernmental organizations and local authorities in Russia that are dealing with a huge drug and HIV problem on the ground.
The Russian government is clearly shooting itself in the foot. The UN estimates that about 1 percent of adult Russians are HIV positive, while the population continues to decline. Brazil has made different choices. With similar expenditure on HIV as Russia, Brazil has managed to turn the tide and enjoys impressively declining rates of HIV among drug users.
So why does Russia ignore all the evidence and international pressure to step up its commitment to make sure the spread of HIV in the country is halted by 2015?
The U.S. battle against HIV may offer some good lessons. Under the administration of President George W. Bush, it made life for drug users difficult and blocked needle exchange among drug users. But when President Barack Obama took office, this changed.
It is not that Russia lacks supporters and leaders in the field of HIV prevention. Civil society leaders have spoken out over the last few years, television journalists such as Vladimir Pozner have played a pivotal role in bringing the issue to the attention of the public, and there are many health professionals and scientists who support evidence-based HIV prevention among people who inject drugs. But Russia lacks leadership among those in power who can really make a difference for the disenfranchised groups in society most affected by HIV.
There is one key difference with the U.S. approach to HIV: Russia lacks the outspoken and high-level support of business leaders to battle the disease. It was significant that the HIV forum in Moscow had no representation of the Russian business community. George Soros is a vivid example of a business leader and philanthropist from the United States who is not afraid to support and fund approaches that were not condoned by his own government.
It is in the interest of Russia and the world to see Russia, a Group of Eight member, containing its HIV epidemic. Therefore, it is hoped that we will see high-level governmental and business leadership on this issue occurring in Russia soon — hopefully, well before 2015.
The Friends of AIDS Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.
TOGETHER WE REMAIN STRONG!
Indeed, Russia has some things to boast of: Transmission of HIV from mother to child during pregnancy is almost eliminated, and many more Russians with AIDS are receiving medication against their disease than ever before. But HIV in Russia is growing because the government has not addressed HIV transmission in the group where it matters most: intravenous drug users. Nearly 80 percent of people with HIV in Russia got their infection through drug use, and new cases continue to occur among the country’s 1.8 million drug users.
There are evidence-based interventions that many countries have adopted and that lead to demonstrably lower HIV transmission, based on reducing the harm that drug use brings about, including the spread of HIV by contaminated injections. It is important to exchange used needles and syringes for clean ones among users that cannot or will not kick the habit, and it is equally important that those users who want to get clean are admitted to high-quality rehabilitation programs.
True, needle exchange does not cure opiate addiction, as some of our Russian critics argue. But we treat diabetes with insulin and are perfectly happy with this noncurative approach that hugely improves the quality of life of diabetics.
The scientific evidence that this approach works against the spread of HIV has been around for years. Methadone programs prevent new HIV infections, and they also help reduce petty crime, while fears that needle exchanges spread injection drug use have proved unfounded. But Russia has largely ignored these facts, much to the frustration of international organizations including the UN and much to the disappointment of nongovernmental organizations and local authorities in Russia that are dealing with a huge drug and HIV problem on the ground.
The Russian government is clearly shooting itself in the foot. The UN estimates that about 1 percent of adult Russians are HIV positive, while the population continues to decline. Brazil has made different choices. With similar expenditure on HIV as Russia, Brazil has managed to turn the tide and enjoys impressively declining rates of HIV among drug users.
So why does Russia ignore all the evidence and international pressure to step up its commitment to make sure the spread of HIV in the country is halted by 2015?
The U.S. battle against HIV may offer some good lessons. Under the administration of President George W. Bush, it made life for drug users difficult and blocked needle exchange among drug users. But when President Barack Obama took office, this changed.
It is not that Russia lacks supporters and leaders in the field of HIV prevention. Civil society leaders have spoken out over the last few years, television journalists such as Vladimir Pozner have played a pivotal role in bringing the issue to the attention of the public, and there are many health professionals and scientists who support evidence-based HIV prevention among people who inject drugs. But Russia lacks leadership among those in power who can really make a difference for the disenfranchised groups in society most affected by HIV.
There is one key difference with the U.S. approach to HIV: Russia lacks the outspoken and high-level support of business leaders to battle the disease. It was significant that the HIV forum in Moscow had no representation of the Russian business community. George Soros is a vivid example of a business leader and philanthropist from the United States who is not afraid to support and fund approaches that were not condoned by his own government.
It is in the interest of Russia and the world to see Russia, a Group of Eight member, containing its HIV epidemic. Therefore, it is hoped that we will see high-level governmental and business leadership on this issue occurring in Russia soon — hopefully, well before 2015.
The Friends of AIDS Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.
TOGETHER WE REMAIN STRONG!
Monday, October 24, 2011
Women Advocating for Change Webinar
The Friends of AIDS Foundation invites you to participate in a free webinar focusing on women and ways to strengthen their roles as effective community advocates. You will learn how to better use your personal story as an advocacy and education tool.
Advocacy is an important tool that supports women in their ongoing efforts to connect with and represent their communities and make a difference. According to the CDC, women account for 24% of all HIV infections among United States adults and adolescents. Of the total number of new HIV infections in US women in 2009, 57% occurred in blacks, 21% were in whites, and 16% were in Hispanics/Latinas. (CDC HIV among Women/Fact Sheet, 2009).
This how-to webinar will provide women who are infected or affected by HIV/AIDS with ways to increase the quality of their lives through advocacy. Content will include updates on relevant policy issues and tactics include developing local letter campaigns to address these policy issues and reflect the needs of women in your community.
Please register early as space is limited to allow time for audience participation.
To participate in the webinar you must pre-register by following the link below:
https://aidsalliance.webex.com/aidsalliance/k2/j.php?ED=156200372&UID=0&HMAC=9c89589cad92bc46e289caf775056827816c3ca4&RT=MiMxMQ%3D%3D
The Friends of AIDS Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.
TOGETHER WE REMAIN STRONG!
Advocacy is an important tool that supports women in their ongoing efforts to connect with and represent their communities and make a difference. According to the CDC, women account for 24% of all HIV infections among United States adults and adolescents. Of the total number of new HIV infections in US women in 2009, 57% occurred in blacks, 21% were in whites, and 16% were in Hispanics/Latinas. (CDC HIV among Women/Fact Sheet, 2009).
This how-to webinar will provide women who are infected or affected by HIV/AIDS with ways to increase the quality of their lives through advocacy. Content will include updates on relevant policy issues and tactics include developing local letter campaigns to address these policy issues and reflect the needs of women in your community.
Please register early as space is limited to allow time for audience participation.
To participate in the webinar you must pre-register by following the link below:
https://aidsalliance.webex.com/aidsalliance/k2/j.php?ED=156200372&UID=0&HMAC=9c89589cad92bc46e289caf775056827816c3ca4&RT=MiMxMQ%3D%3D
The Friends of AIDS Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.
TOGETHER WE REMAIN STRONG!
Sunday, October 23, 2011
British Columbia Researcher Helps China Fight HIV/AIDS
Chinese officials are looking to B.C. as they face the massive public health challenge of treating the country's estimated 740,000 people with HIV and 105,000 with AIDS.
Aside from the logistical obstacles to delivering treatment to so many people spread throughout a vast country, the bigger challenge still may be combating the stigma associated with the disease. Health care workers regularly refuse to treat or operate on HIV-positive patients, a recent study found.
Dr. Julio Montaner, director of the B.C. Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS based at St. Paul's Hospital, said Chinese health officials approached him several years ago for advice because of B.C.'s success over the last two decades in treating infected individuals and slowing the spread of the disease.
Montaner said in an interview that he was surprised to learn in February of this year that high-level Chinese officials had decided to use the made-in-B.C. treatment-as-prevention model as the centrepiece of China's overall strategy.
Several prominent studies have shown the benefits of treating HIVpositive patients with highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART), drugs that disrupt the virus's ability to replicate. Not only does the death rate go down, but the rate of transmission drops off significantly, Montaner said. Increased HAART coverage in B.C. has decreased overall HIV new diagnoses by greater than 60 per cent and by more than 50 per cent among injection drug users over the last three years, he said, adding that B.C. has virtually eliminated mother-to-child transmission. HIV-positive people in treatment in this province can also now look forward to a near-normal life expectancy.
B.C. researchers are helping Chinese officials adapt this province's model, which advocates widespread HIV testing and access to free HIV treatment to all medically eligible individuals, to the realities in that country, Montaner said. They are helping write protocols and providing background information and implementation ideas based on B.C.'s experience.
But in China, as elsewhere, the biggest obstacle to treatment continues to be the stigma associated with the disease, said Montaner, who will head to Beijing later this month to offer his thoughts on the progress the country is making. HIV-positive patients are regularly denied surgery or treatment in Chinese hospitals, according to a study released in May of this year by the International Labour Organization. HIV-positive patients were told by doctors they didn't want to risk operating on them for fear of infecting others.
Montaner said the problem is not specific to China. "I still face stigma and discrimination at all levels of our work. Doesn't really matter where we are. My patients tell me horror stories, still, with alarming frequency."
He is optimistic, however, that once health care workers in China learn that HIV patients treated with HAART are no longer likely to transmit the disease, the discrimination will start to disappear.
"If [the treatment-as-prevention model] can succeed in China, then we have a very likely possibility that it can succeed elsewhere."
The Friends of AIDS Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.
TOGETHER WE REMAIN STRONG!
Aside from the logistical obstacles to delivering treatment to so many people spread throughout a vast country, the bigger challenge still may be combating the stigma associated with the disease. Health care workers regularly refuse to treat or operate on HIV-positive patients, a recent study found.
Dr. Julio Montaner, director of the B.C. Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS based at St. Paul's Hospital, said Chinese health officials approached him several years ago for advice because of B.C.'s success over the last two decades in treating infected individuals and slowing the spread of the disease.
Montaner said in an interview that he was surprised to learn in February of this year that high-level Chinese officials had decided to use the made-in-B.C. treatment-as-prevention model as the centrepiece of China's overall strategy.
Several prominent studies have shown the benefits of treating HIVpositive patients with highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART), drugs that disrupt the virus's ability to replicate. Not only does the death rate go down, but the rate of transmission drops off significantly, Montaner said. Increased HAART coverage in B.C. has decreased overall HIV new diagnoses by greater than 60 per cent and by more than 50 per cent among injection drug users over the last three years, he said, adding that B.C. has virtually eliminated mother-to-child transmission. HIV-positive people in treatment in this province can also now look forward to a near-normal life expectancy.
B.C. researchers are helping Chinese officials adapt this province's model, which advocates widespread HIV testing and access to free HIV treatment to all medically eligible individuals, to the realities in that country, Montaner said. They are helping write protocols and providing background information and implementation ideas based on B.C.'s experience.
But in China, as elsewhere, the biggest obstacle to treatment continues to be the stigma associated with the disease, said Montaner, who will head to Beijing later this month to offer his thoughts on the progress the country is making. HIV-positive patients are regularly denied surgery or treatment in Chinese hospitals, according to a study released in May of this year by the International Labour Organization. HIV-positive patients were told by doctors they didn't want to risk operating on them for fear of infecting others.
Montaner said the problem is not specific to China. "I still face stigma and discrimination at all levels of our work. Doesn't really matter where we are. My patients tell me horror stories, still, with alarming frequency."
He is optimistic, however, that once health care workers in China learn that HIV patients treated with HAART are no longer likely to transmit the disease, the discrimination will start to disappear.
"If [the treatment-as-prevention model] can succeed in China, then we have a very likely possibility that it can succeed elsewhere."
The Friends of AIDS Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.
TOGETHER WE REMAIN STRONG!
Saturday, October 22, 2011
Spread of HIV Traced to 3 Chimp Hunters in Africa Circa 1921
The spread of HIV can be traced back to about 80 chimpanzees in Africa that infected about three bush-meat hunters circa 1921, according to a new book titled The Origins of AIDS reviewed by The New York Times. Jacques Pépin, MD, an infectious disease specialist, is the author.
Scientists have determined that the M group—one of HIV-1’s four genetic groups, which accounts for 99 percent of all HIV cases—reached humans around 1921.
Using data from that era, Pépin was able to make his calculations. He argues that since sex alone was not enough to spread the virus widely, there were several “amplifiers” along the way, including blood-borne routes such as unsterile equipment at immunization clinics and plasma centers.
To read the Times article, visit: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/18/health/18aids.html?_r=4&pagewanted=1&src=dayp.
The Friends of AIDS Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.
TOGETHER WE REMAIN STRONG!
Scientists have determined that the M group—one of HIV-1’s four genetic groups, which accounts for 99 percent of all HIV cases—reached humans around 1921.
Using data from that era, Pépin was able to make his calculations. He argues that since sex alone was not enough to spread the virus widely, there were several “amplifiers” along the way, including blood-borne routes such as unsterile equipment at immunization clinics and plasma centers.
To read the Times article, visit: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/18/health/18aids.html?_r=4&pagewanted=1&src=dayp.
The Friends of AIDS Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.
TOGETHER WE REMAIN STRONG!
HIV/AIDS Clinic in Pakistan Working to Fight Stigma, Provide Treatment
"Today is the best day of my life," Gul Hamid, 40, told IPS. "Finally my family members are convinced that HIV/AIDS can’t be transmitted through handshakes or shared meals and utensils."
Hamid tested positive for HIV/AIDS in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) two years ago and was deported immediately. Since then he has been shunned by most of the community in his village in North Waziristan, a mountainous region that borders Afghanistan.
Virtually everyone in the village refused contact with Hamid, believing that being near him, or having any physical contact with him, might lead to contamination.
"The majority of the population makes the mistaken assumption that HIV/AIDS is a condition resulting from extramarital sex and that the patients are sinners," Rajwal Khan, a representative of the World Health Organisation (WHO), told IPS.
"They also believe that the virus can be transmitted through physical touch," he said, adding that even doctors and health professionals are guilty of ostracising HIV/AIDS patients or avoiding contact with them.
According to Khan, Pakistan has counted over 5,000 people living with HIV/AIDS since 1990, the majority of them men who were deported from Arab countries, where they had been working as immigrant labourers.
He said that whenever immigrants visited their embassies to renew their visas or passports they were subjected to HIV tests. If they tested positive, they were deported to Pakistan.
In the absence of screening facilities at Pakistani airports, returning workers are quickly absorbed back into the country.
The shame of deportation often prevents these men from discussing their condition with family; this stigma, coupled with a lack of treatment facilities advocating safety and prevention, has led to the proliferation of the virus in certain areas.
"HIV/AIDS has become a ‘family disease’ in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), where husbands have unwittingly transmitted the deadly infection to their wives, who subsequently give birth to HIV-infected children," Mohamed Cisse, country chief of Health and Nutrition for UNICEF, told IPS.
On Sep. 1, the first Family Care Centre for people living with HIV/AIDS in Pakistan was inaugurated in Peshawar at the Hayatabad Medical Complex, in the hope of breaking the stigma surrounding HIV/AIDS and providing crucial treatment.
The first of its kind in South Asia, the Centre will serve as a diagnostic and treatment facility for people living with HIV/AIDS, as well as offer counseling services to affected family members, according to Cisse.
Hamid, one of the beneficiaries of the new centre, said his family received excellent counseling there and have since become much more friendly towards him.
Similarly, Sultan Sher, from the Charsadda district in KP, expressed gratitude that psychologists at the centre had managed to convince his brothers, sisters and uncles that the condition is not transmittable through just any physical contact.
"My brother, who tested positive in (the UAE city of) Sharjah one year ago, has faced a tough time since his return, including being isolated by his family," Sher’s brother Alam told IPS.
"Now we know that HIV/AIDS is transmitted only through unsafe sex, unscreened blood transfusions, contaminated instruments in dental clinics and operating theatres or through contaminated syringes," the brother added.
"We have to do away with the stigma associated with the disease so people stop looking down upon patients and instead encourage them to talk openly about safety and prevention," said professor Lubna Hassan, a gynecologist and director of the Centre.
She said that Family Care provides HIV-infected women and children with all necessary treatment under one roof, including antenatal care and child care by highly trained specialists.
According to Khan there are currently 147 children and 250 women infected with HIV in the KP and FATA region.
The centre already has 600 registered patients including 175 from neighbouring Afghanistan, all of whom will receive free anti-retroviral treatment (ART) imported from the WHO in India.
A Memorandum of Understanding has also been signed with Afghanistan whereby Afghan doctors and nurses agree to receive training in Pakistan, thus qualifying them to counsel and treat patients in their home country.
In the future, the facility will double up as the Centre of Excellence for South and Central Asia, where doctors and healthcare professionals will receive training in HIV treatment and patient management, Hassan added.
She stressed that the Centre constituted a landmark achievement in Pakistan’s medical history and represented a milestone in safeguarding the rights of a vulnerable population.
Khan added that, although the KP and FATA have only counted 800 people living with HIV/AIDS in the region, testing the vulnerable population would likely reveal much higher numbers in need of treatment.
Thus far, many have refused to be tested because of the stigma attached to HIV/AIDS, an obstacle Khan hoped would be eliminated by the Centre’s work.
Pakistan is still a relatively low-prevalence country with only 0.01 percent of the population actually suffering from HIV/AIDS.
However the infection has been making inroads into large swathes of society due to high infection rates among intravenous drug users.
Source: IPS News
The Friends of AIDS Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.
TOGETHER WE REMAIN STRONG!
Hamid tested positive for HIV/AIDS in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) two years ago and was deported immediately. Since then he has been shunned by most of the community in his village in North Waziristan, a mountainous region that borders Afghanistan.
Virtually everyone in the village refused contact with Hamid, believing that being near him, or having any physical contact with him, might lead to contamination.
"The majority of the population makes the mistaken assumption that HIV/AIDS is a condition resulting from extramarital sex and that the patients are sinners," Rajwal Khan, a representative of the World Health Organisation (WHO), told IPS.
"They also believe that the virus can be transmitted through physical touch," he said, adding that even doctors and health professionals are guilty of ostracising HIV/AIDS patients or avoiding contact with them.
According to Khan, Pakistan has counted over 5,000 people living with HIV/AIDS since 1990, the majority of them men who were deported from Arab countries, where they had been working as immigrant labourers.
He said that whenever immigrants visited their embassies to renew their visas or passports they were subjected to HIV tests. If they tested positive, they were deported to Pakistan.
In the absence of screening facilities at Pakistani airports, returning workers are quickly absorbed back into the country.
The shame of deportation often prevents these men from discussing their condition with family; this stigma, coupled with a lack of treatment facilities advocating safety and prevention, has led to the proliferation of the virus in certain areas.
"HIV/AIDS has become a ‘family disease’ in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), where husbands have unwittingly transmitted the deadly infection to their wives, who subsequently give birth to HIV-infected children," Mohamed Cisse, country chief of Health and Nutrition for UNICEF, told IPS.
On Sep. 1, the first Family Care Centre for people living with HIV/AIDS in Pakistan was inaugurated in Peshawar at the Hayatabad Medical Complex, in the hope of breaking the stigma surrounding HIV/AIDS and providing crucial treatment.
The first of its kind in South Asia, the Centre will serve as a diagnostic and treatment facility for people living with HIV/AIDS, as well as offer counseling services to affected family members, according to Cisse.
Hamid, one of the beneficiaries of the new centre, said his family received excellent counseling there and have since become much more friendly towards him.
Similarly, Sultan Sher, from the Charsadda district in KP, expressed gratitude that psychologists at the centre had managed to convince his brothers, sisters and uncles that the condition is not transmittable through just any physical contact.
"My brother, who tested positive in (the UAE city of) Sharjah one year ago, has faced a tough time since his return, including being isolated by his family," Sher’s brother Alam told IPS.
"Now we know that HIV/AIDS is transmitted only through unsafe sex, unscreened blood transfusions, contaminated instruments in dental clinics and operating theatres or through contaminated syringes," the brother added.
"We have to do away with the stigma associated with the disease so people stop looking down upon patients and instead encourage them to talk openly about safety and prevention," said professor Lubna Hassan, a gynecologist and director of the Centre.
She said that Family Care provides HIV-infected women and children with all necessary treatment under one roof, including antenatal care and child care by highly trained specialists.
According to Khan there are currently 147 children and 250 women infected with HIV in the KP and FATA region.
The centre already has 600 registered patients including 175 from neighbouring Afghanistan, all of whom will receive free anti-retroviral treatment (ART) imported from the WHO in India.
A Memorandum of Understanding has also been signed with Afghanistan whereby Afghan doctors and nurses agree to receive training in Pakistan, thus qualifying them to counsel and treat patients in their home country.
In the future, the facility will double up as the Centre of Excellence for South and Central Asia, where doctors and healthcare professionals will receive training in HIV treatment and patient management, Hassan added.
She stressed that the Centre constituted a landmark achievement in Pakistan’s medical history and represented a milestone in safeguarding the rights of a vulnerable population.
Khan added that, although the KP and FATA have only counted 800 people living with HIV/AIDS in the region, testing the vulnerable population would likely reveal much higher numbers in need of treatment.
Thus far, many have refused to be tested because of the stigma attached to HIV/AIDS, an obstacle Khan hoped would be eliminated by the Centre’s work.
Pakistan is still a relatively low-prevalence country with only 0.01 percent of the population actually suffering from HIV/AIDS.
However the infection has been making inroads into large swathes of society due to high infection rates among intravenous drug users.
Source: IPS News
The Friends of AIDS Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.
TOGETHER WE REMAIN STRONG!
Janssen Announces FDA Label Update Approval for PREZISTA HIV Tablets
Janssen Therapeutics, Division of Janssen Products, LP, announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a label update for PREZISTA® (darunavir) tablets to include 192-week data from the ARTEMIS study.
ARTEMIS evaluated the efficacy and safety of PREZISTA with ritonavir (r) vs. lopinavir/r in combination with other antiretrovirals (ARVs) for the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) in treatment-naive patients.
"Since its launch in 2006, PREZISTA has become one of the most prescribed antiretroviral agents in the protease inhibitor class.
Having data showing the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of PREZISTA over 192 weeks should give added confidence to healthcare providers who are considering PREZISTA as an option for their patients who are starting treatment for the first time," said Vanessa Broadhurst, President, Janssen Therapeutics.
PREZISTA was developed by Tibotec Pharmaceuticals and is marketed in the U.S. by Janssen Therapeutics. PREZISTA, co-administered with ritonavir (PREZISTA/ritonavir), and with other antiretroviral agents, is indicated for the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) infection.
This indication is based on analyses of plasma HIV-1 RNA levels and CD4+ cell counts from two controlled Phase 3 trials of 48 weeks duration in antiretroviral treatment-naive and treatment experienced patients and two controlled Phase 2 trials of 96 weeks duration in clinically advanced, treatment-experienced adult patients.
In treatment-experienced adult patients, the following points should be considered when initiating therapy with PREZISTA/r:
- Treatment history and, when available, genotypic or phenotypic testing should guide the use of PREZISTA/r.
- The use of other active agents with PREZISTA/r is associated with a greater likelihood of treatment response.
The Friends of AIDS Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.
TOGETHER WE REMAIN STRONG!
ARTEMIS evaluated the efficacy and safety of PREZISTA with ritonavir (r) vs. lopinavir/r in combination with other antiretrovirals (ARVs) for the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) in treatment-naive patients.
"Since its launch in 2006, PREZISTA has become one of the most prescribed antiretroviral agents in the protease inhibitor class.
Having data showing the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of PREZISTA over 192 weeks should give added confidence to healthcare providers who are considering PREZISTA as an option for their patients who are starting treatment for the first time," said Vanessa Broadhurst, President, Janssen Therapeutics.
PREZISTA was developed by Tibotec Pharmaceuticals and is marketed in the U.S. by Janssen Therapeutics. PREZISTA, co-administered with ritonavir (PREZISTA/ritonavir), and with other antiretroviral agents, is indicated for the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) infection.
This indication is based on analyses of plasma HIV-1 RNA levels and CD4+ cell counts from two controlled Phase 3 trials of 48 weeks duration in antiretroviral treatment-naive and treatment experienced patients and two controlled Phase 2 trials of 96 weeks duration in clinically advanced, treatment-experienced adult patients.
In treatment-experienced adult patients, the following points should be considered when initiating therapy with PREZISTA/r:
- Treatment history and, when available, genotypic or phenotypic testing should guide the use of PREZISTA/r.
- The use of other active agents with PREZISTA/r is associated with a greater likelihood of treatment response.
The Friends of AIDS Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.
TOGETHER WE REMAIN STRONG!
Friday, October 21, 2011
Upcoming Webinar - Recent HIV Research Advances and US Women
The Friends of AIDS Foundation invites you to participate in a Webinar to Discuss Recent HIV Research Advances and US Women.
DATE: Monday, October 24, 2011
TIME: 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM PST
AGENDA:
- Update on HPTN 052: Review of Recent Results
- Partners PrEP Trial: Review of Recent Results
- Do these studies suggest possible changes in the future of HIV prevention studies and interventions with US women?
Webinar Directions
To view the webinar, visit:
https://www.livemeeting.com/cc/1100000838/join?id=C3SKSN&role=attend&pw=MT3PMr%5C%7Cj
*Note – You may log on to the WHRC webinar as early as 10:45 AM PST / 1:45PM EST
The Friends of AIDS Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuials and empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org
TOGETHER WE REMAIN STRONG!
DATE: Monday, October 24, 2011
TIME: 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM PST
AGENDA:
- Update on HPTN 052: Review of Recent Results
- Partners PrEP Trial: Review of Recent Results
- Do these studies suggest possible changes in the future of HIV prevention studies and interventions with US women?
Webinar Directions
To view the webinar, visit:
https://www.livemeeting.com/cc/1100000838/join?id=C3SKSN&role=attend&pw=MT3PMr%5C%7Cj
*Note – You may log on to the WHRC webinar as early as 10:45 AM PST / 1:45PM EST
The Friends of AIDS Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuials and empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org
TOGETHER WE REMAIN STRONG!
HIV Advocates in Uganda Losing Faith as Country Works to Prevent and Treat New Infections
Corruption scandals, frequent treatment shortages and accusations of a misguided prevention program have undermined progress in the fight against HIV/AIDS in Uganda, a country that had won plaudits in the early days of the epidemic for the aggressive stance taken by President Yoweri Museveni.
Uganda lowered its HIV prevalence from 18 percent in the early 1990s to about six percent in 2000. According to PlusNews, "Some of Uganda's most active campaigners in its 30-year fight against HIV are losing faith in the government's ability to effectively counter the epidemic as the country struggles to provide treatment and prevent more than 100,000 new infections every year."
The news service speaks with a number of HIV/AIDS advocates in the country who cite the president's support of prevention programs that do not emphasize condom use, the questioning of evidence-backed prevention techniques such as medical male circumcision, a lack of proper coordination at the top of the HIV response, and the exclusion of grassroots communities in high-level HIV decision-making as issues that have led to "disorganization" and "stagnation" in the country's HIV response.
The Friends of AIDS Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.
TOGETHER WE REMAIN STRONG!
Uganda lowered its HIV prevalence from 18 percent in the early 1990s to about six percent in 2000. According to PlusNews, "Some of Uganda's most active campaigners in its 30-year fight against HIV are losing faith in the government's ability to effectively counter the epidemic as the country struggles to provide treatment and prevent more than 100,000 new infections every year."
The news service speaks with a number of HIV/AIDS advocates in the country who cite the president's support of prevention programs that do not emphasize condom use, the questioning of evidence-backed prevention techniques such as medical male circumcision, a lack of proper coordination at the top of the HIV response, and the exclusion of grassroots communities in high-level HIV decision-making as issues that have led to "disorganization" and "stagnation" in the country's HIV response.
The Friends of AIDS Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.
TOGETHER WE REMAIN STRONG!
Former Botswana President Wants Homosexuality and Prostitution Decriminalized to Reduce AIDS/HIV Spread
The former President of Botswana has called for his country to decriminalize homosexuality and prostitution in an effort to slow down the spread of the HIV virus.
Festus Mogae, who leads the government-supported AIDS Council, told BBC that is difficult to encourage safe sex in a country where homosexuality and prostitution are illegal.
"I don't understand it [homosexuality]. I am a heterosexual," he told BBC. "I look at women. I don't look at other men. But there are men who look at other men. These are citizens."
Mogae also called on the government to change its policy on sex workers.
"To protect them and their clients from being infected, you have to assist them to protect themselves. I don't think by arresting them you help them," he said.
He also called for the distribution of condoms in the prison system.
"If people can go to prison HIV negative and come out of it HIV positive, it means that prisons, whatever the law says, are one of the sources of infection," he added.
While Botswana is a relatively stable and democratic country with a conservative society, it is also laboring under one of the world’s highest rates of HIV/Aids infection – according to reports, about one-in-six people in Botswana (or 17 percent) is HIV-positive.
Nonetheless, Mogae’s views are likely to be shunned. A government spokesman told BBC that homosexuality and prostitution would remain illegal practices until the state officials conducted a thorough study on whether changes to the law were necessary.
After serving two terms in office, Mogae stepped down in 2008 and is widely admired across Africa. Under his administration, Botswana became the first country in sub-Saharan Africa to make anti=retroviral drugs widely available.
Still, the AIDS/HIV crisis has cut a devastating swathe of misery across the country of just 2-million people. Reportedly, one in three adults is either infected with the HIB virus or has full-blown AIDS, resulting in thousands of orphans.
The Friends of AIDS Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.
TOGETHER WE REMAIN STRONG!
Festus Mogae, who leads the government-supported AIDS Council, told BBC that is difficult to encourage safe sex in a country where homosexuality and prostitution are illegal.
"I don't understand it [homosexuality]. I am a heterosexual," he told BBC. "I look at women. I don't look at other men. But there are men who look at other men. These are citizens."
Mogae also called on the government to change its policy on sex workers.
"To protect them and their clients from being infected, you have to assist them to protect themselves. I don't think by arresting them you help them," he said.
He also called for the distribution of condoms in the prison system.
"If people can go to prison HIV negative and come out of it HIV positive, it means that prisons, whatever the law says, are one of the sources of infection," he added.
While Botswana is a relatively stable and democratic country with a conservative society, it is also laboring under one of the world’s highest rates of HIV/Aids infection – according to reports, about one-in-six people in Botswana (or 17 percent) is HIV-positive.
Nonetheless, Mogae’s views are likely to be shunned. A government spokesman told BBC that homosexuality and prostitution would remain illegal practices until the state officials conducted a thorough study on whether changes to the law were necessary.
After serving two terms in office, Mogae stepped down in 2008 and is widely admired across Africa. Under his administration, Botswana became the first country in sub-Saharan Africa to make anti=retroviral drugs widely available.
Still, the AIDS/HIV crisis has cut a devastating swathe of misery across the country of just 2-million people. Reportedly, one in three adults is either infected with the HIB virus or has full-blown AIDS, resulting in thousands of orphans.
The Friends of AIDS Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.
TOGETHER WE REMAIN STRONG!
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Death Rates Among People With HIV Vary Considerably From State to State, CDC Reports
Death rates among people with HIV are more than twice as great in many Southern states compared with other states, even after adjusting for racial and age differences, according to a sobering new analysis reported by U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) researchers. The findings, published online ahead of print by the journal AIDS, also suggest that death rates among people with HIV are high even in states where people with HIV make up a small percentage of age-matched deaths documented in the general population.
HIV remains a major public health concern in the United States. About 53,000 new infections continue to occur annually, and while deaths due to HIV infection declined dramatically after the introduction of potent antiretroviral (ARV) therapy in the mid-1990s, the decline in death rates has slowed in recent years.
The National HIV/AIDS Strategy for the United States has prioritized the reduction of health disparities among demographic groups, notably women and people of color. However, such disparities may be largely dependent on geography, given that health care access varies with state policies regarding funding for medical care, prescription drugs and supportive services. Yet few studies have examined interstate disparities in HIV-related health outcomes in the modern-day treatment era. Such data are needed to refine funding streams in ways to help meet National HIV/AIDS Strategy goals.
To explore the important issue of geographic survival disparities, David Hanna, MS, and his CDC colleagues evaluated two sets of data in 37 states, representing 70 percent of the U.S. population, fully participating in the national HIV/AIDS Reporting System. They first looked at the rates of deaths of people living with HIV—deaths from any cause, not necessarily HIV-related health problems—compared with those of the general HIV-negative population. Then they looked at death rates exclusively among people living with HIV. In both analyses, interstate comparisons were made.
After adjusting for age, the researchers found that death rates among people with HIV, as a percentage of the general population, were highest in New York, New Jersey, North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Louisiana and Mississippi and lowest in northern Midwest states. These results are not surprising, as the states with the highest HIV-associated deaths are among the states with the highest HIV prevalence.
Of particular interest was the shift in rankings when the CDC team looked at death rates exclusively among people with HIV in the 37 states included in the analysis. For example, Wyoming’s rank moved up 27 places—whereas it had the second lowest number of deaths (36/37) of people with HIV in the general population, reflecting the low prevalence of HIV in that state, it had the ninth highest death rate (9/37), compared with other states, of people living with HIV dying.
Similarly, Iowa had the 34th lowest death rate of people with HIV, as a proportion of the state’s general population, but it had the 17th highest death rate when only counting people with HIV, compared with other states.
Rankings of death rates among people living with HIV also increased in Oklahoma, Arkansas, Alabama and Tennessee.
In states like New York and Connecticut, ranked 3rd and 12th in terms of HIV-associated death rates as percentages of the general population, death rates as percentages of people with HIV were among the lowest: They ranked 30th and 35th out of 37 states, respectively.
Other states demonstrated no major change in ranks. For example, Louisiana had the second highest rates of deaths of HIV-positive people, both in its general population and among its residents living with HIV, compared with other states. In Mississippi, Florida and the Carolinas death rates among people living with HIV were doubled those documented in many Northeastern, Midwestern and Pacific states.
The comparatively low death rates among people living with HIV in states such as New York and Connecticut, the CDC team writes, “suggests good secondary and tertiary prevention of HIV disease, which could be due in part to earlier screening or entry into care, better adherence to medical instructions, or better care, compared to many other states.”
In states where death rates are highest among residents with HIV, they add, the study findings “[suggest] that services to those with HIV may be inadequate.”
“The elimination of HIV-related health disparities is a national priority,” Hanna and his CDC colleagues conclude. “Our study shows that state of residence should be considered as a geographic unit of analysis when assessing disparities, in addition to categorizations like sex, race/ethnicity, and transmission category. Our findings also support earlier work identifying disparities in the [Southern United States] for earlier consequences of HIV infection, namely AIDS diagnosis. Examination of these rate disparities is a crucial step in addressing their causes, and can guide policymakers to consider area-level factors as well as individual factors when choosing interventions.”
The Friends of AIDS Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.
TOGETHER WE REMAIN STRONG!
HIV remains a major public health concern in the United States. About 53,000 new infections continue to occur annually, and while deaths due to HIV infection declined dramatically after the introduction of potent antiretroviral (ARV) therapy in the mid-1990s, the decline in death rates has slowed in recent years.
The National HIV/AIDS Strategy for the United States has prioritized the reduction of health disparities among demographic groups, notably women and people of color. However, such disparities may be largely dependent on geography, given that health care access varies with state policies regarding funding for medical care, prescription drugs and supportive services. Yet few studies have examined interstate disparities in HIV-related health outcomes in the modern-day treatment era. Such data are needed to refine funding streams in ways to help meet National HIV/AIDS Strategy goals.
To explore the important issue of geographic survival disparities, David Hanna, MS, and his CDC colleagues evaluated two sets of data in 37 states, representing 70 percent of the U.S. population, fully participating in the national HIV/AIDS Reporting System. They first looked at the rates of deaths of people living with HIV—deaths from any cause, not necessarily HIV-related health problems—compared with those of the general HIV-negative population. Then they looked at death rates exclusively among people living with HIV. In both analyses, interstate comparisons were made.
After adjusting for age, the researchers found that death rates among people with HIV, as a percentage of the general population, were highest in New York, New Jersey, North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Louisiana and Mississippi and lowest in northern Midwest states. These results are not surprising, as the states with the highest HIV-associated deaths are among the states with the highest HIV prevalence.
Of particular interest was the shift in rankings when the CDC team looked at death rates exclusively among people with HIV in the 37 states included in the analysis. For example, Wyoming’s rank moved up 27 places—whereas it had the second lowest number of deaths (36/37) of people with HIV in the general population, reflecting the low prevalence of HIV in that state, it had the ninth highest death rate (9/37), compared with other states, of people living with HIV dying.
Similarly, Iowa had the 34th lowest death rate of people with HIV, as a proportion of the state’s general population, but it had the 17th highest death rate when only counting people with HIV, compared with other states.
Rankings of death rates among people living with HIV also increased in Oklahoma, Arkansas, Alabama and Tennessee.
In states like New York and Connecticut, ranked 3rd and 12th in terms of HIV-associated death rates as percentages of the general population, death rates as percentages of people with HIV were among the lowest: They ranked 30th and 35th out of 37 states, respectively.
Other states demonstrated no major change in ranks. For example, Louisiana had the second highest rates of deaths of HIV-positive people, both in its general population and among its residents living with HIV, compared with other states. In Mississippi, Florida and the Carolinas death rates among people living with HIV were doubled those documented in many Northeastern, Midwestern and Pacific states.
The comparatively low death rates among people living with HIV in states such as New York and Connecticut, the CDC team writes, “suggests good secondary and tertiary prevention of HIV disease, which could be due in part to earlier screening or entry into care, better adherence to medical instructions, or better care, compared to many other states.”
In states where death rates are highest among residents with HIV, they add, the study findings “[suggest] that services to those with HIV may be inadequate.”
“The elimination of HIV-related health disparities is a national priority,” Hanna and his CDC colleagues conclude. “Our study shows that state of residence should be considered as a geographic unit of analysis when assessing disparities, in addition to categorizations like sex, race/ethnicity, and transmission category. Our findings also support earlier work identifying disparities in the [Southern United States] for earlier consequences of HIV infection, namely AIDS diagnosis. Examination of these rate disparities is a crucial step in addressing their causes, and can guide policymakers to consider area-level factors as well as individual factors when choosing interventions.”
The Friends of AIDS Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.
TOGETHER WE REMAIN STRONG!
Life Expectancy at All-Time High in U.K. Cohort Study
More good HIV survival news, this time from a cohort study conducted in the United Kingdom. Whereas a 35-year-old person living with HIV between 1996 and 1999 could expect to live an additional 20 years, revised estimates for 35-year-olds living with HIV between 2006 and 2008 suggest 31 additional years of life expectancy.
In effect, Margaret May, PhD, of the University of Bristol School of Social and Community Medicine and her fellow UK Collaborative HIV Cohort (UK CHIC) study authors write in an October 11 British Medical Journal report, people with HIV have a life expectancy that’s 15 years longer thanks to improved treatments over the past 13 years.
UK CHIC, started in 2001, began collating routine data on people living with HIV attending some of the United Kingdom’s largest clinical centers since January 1996. Patients included in the current analysis were 20 years old and older and started treatment with antiretroviral therapy with at least three drugs between 1996 and 2008.
The researchers studied data on 17,661 patients, of whom 1,248 (7 percent) died between 1996 and 2008.
Their analysis shows that life expectancy for an average 20-year-old infected with HIV increased from 30 years in 1996 to 1999, to almost 46 years in 2006 to 2008. In other words, a 20-year-old living with HIV could expect to live to be about 66 years old.
As for the increased life expectancy calculated for 35-year-olds, this translated into an average lifespan of 75 years.
The authors did note important gender differences. Essentially, May and her colleagues found that life expectancy for women treated for HIV is 10 years greater than that for men. During the period 1996 to 2008, life expectancy for a 20-year-old was 40 years for males living with HIV and 50 years for females living with HIV, compared with 58 years for men and nearly 62 years for women in the general U.K. population.
The CD4 count at which a person started treatment did have an impact on his or her life expectancy, May’s group found. Life expectancy was 38 years, 41 years and 53 years among those starting antiretroviral therapy with CD4 counts less than 100, between 100 to 199 and between 200 to 350 cells, respectively.
Life expectancies for people starting therapy with CD4s above 350 were not calculated.
The improvement in life expectancy since 1996 was likely due to several factors, May and her colleagues write, including a greater proportion of patients with high CD4 counts, better antiretroviral therapy, more effective drugs, and an upward trend in the U.K. population’s life expectancy.
Though the life expectancy of people living with HIV in UK CHIC was still rougly 15 years shorter than that of the general UK population, some modifiable factors were listed as likely causes of this disparity. Non-adherence to treatment, treatment interruptions, the use of first-line regimens that are less robust than those currently available and delayed treatment, a history of low CD4 counts or AIDS-definining illnesses and a variety of lifestyle factors--such as smoking, drug misuse and alcohol abuse--were among the possible reasons for poorer survival among the study volunteers living with HIV.
“Life expectancy in the HIV-positive population has significantly improved in the [United Kingdom] between 1996 and 2008, and we should expect further improvements for patients starting antiretroviral therapy now with improved modern drugs and new guidelines recommending earlier treatment,” the authors conclude.
“There is a need to identify HIV-positive individuals early in the course of disease in order to avoid the very large negative impact that starting antiretroviral therapy at a CD4 count below 200 cells has on life expectancy,” they add.
The Friends of AIDS Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.
TOGETHER WE REMAIN STRONG!
In effect, Margaret May, PhD, of the University of Bristol School of Social and Community Medicine and her fellow UK Collaborative HIV Cohort (UK CHIC) study authors write in an October 11 British Medical Journal report, people with HIV have a life expectancy that’s 15 years longer thanks to improved treatments over the past 13 years.
UK CHIC, started in 2001, began collating routine data on people living with HIV attending some of the United Kingdom’s largest clinical centers since January 1996. Patients included in the current analysis were 20 years old and older and started treatment with antiretroviral therapy with at least three drugs between 1996 and 2008.
The researchers studied data on 17,661 patients, of whom 1,248 (7 percent) died between 1996 and 2008.
Their analysis shows that life expectancy for an average 20-year-old infected with HIV increased from 30 years in 1996 to 1999, to almost 46 years in 2006 to 2008. In other words, a 20-year-old living with HIV could expect to live to be about 66 years old.
As for the increased life expectancy calculated for 35-year-olds, this translated into an average lifespan of 75 years.
The authors did note important gender differences. Essentially, May and her colleagues found that life expectancy for women treated for HIV is 10 years greater than that for men. During the period 1996 to 2008, life expectancy for a 20-year-old was 40 years for males living with HIV and 50 years for females living with HIV, compared with 58 years for men and nearly 62 years for women in the general U.K. population.
The CD4 count at which a person started treatment did have an impact on his or her life expectancy, May’s group found. Life expectancy was 38 years, 41 years and 53 years among those starting antiretroviral therapy with CD4 counts less than 100, between 100 to 199 and between 200 to 350 cells, respectively.
Life expectancies for people starting therapy with CD4s above 350 were not calculated.
The improvement in life expectancy since 1996 was likely due to several factors, May and her colleagues write, including a greater proportion of patients with high CD4 counts, better antiretroviral therapy, more effective drugs, and an upward trend in the U.K. population’s life expectancy.
Though the life expectancy of people living with HIV in UK CHIC was still rougly 15 years shorter than that of the general UK population, some modifiable factors were listed as likely causes of this disparity. Non-adherence to treatment, treatment interruptions, the use of first-line regimens that are less robust than those currently available and delayed treatment, a history of low CD4 counts or AIDS-definining illnesses and a variety of lifestyle factors--such as smoking, drug misuse and alcohol abuse--were among the possible reasons for poorer survival among the study volunteers living with HIV.
“Life expectancy in the HIV-positive population has significantly improved in the [United Kingdom] between 1996 and 2008, and we should expect further improvements for patients starting antiretroviral therapy now with improved modern drugs and new guidelines recommending earlier treatment,” the authors conclude.
“There is a need to identify HIV-positive individuals early in the course of disease in order to avoid the very large negative impact that starting antiretroviral therapy at a CD4 count below 200 cells has on life expectancy,” they add.
The Friends of AIDS Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.
TOGETHER WE REMAIN STRONG!
Complera Receives "Alternative" U.S. Treatment Guidelines Status
The once-daily fixed-dose combination tablet Complera (rilpivirine plus tenofovir and emtricitabine) has been added to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Service’s antiretroviral treatment guidelines as a second-tier “alternative” option for people living with HIV starting therapy for the first time, according to an update released Friday, October 14.
Other changes include the removal of both Viramune (nevirapine) and Combivir (zidovudine plus lamivudine) as alternative treatment options—both are now considered third-tier “acceptable” options—by the DHHS guidelines committee.
The DHHS’s Guidelines for the Use of Antiretroviral Agents in HIV-1 Infected Adults and Adolescents makes recommendations about the best time to start or switch therapy, the best treatments to use in various situations, ways to monitor treatment and deal with side effects and certain opportunistic infections (OIs), and a host of other issues related to ARV treatment. The guidelines were last updated in January 2011.
The addition of Complera, the second fixed-dose combination tablet containing a complete regimen active against HIV—along with Edurant, the stand-alone tablet containing rilpivirine, to be combined with other agents—is among the most notable changes in the October 2011 update. Both are listed as alternative options. Atripla is still the only first-tier “preferred” non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI)–based regimen for first-time HIV treatment takers.
The reason for Complera’s listing as an alternative, as opposed to a preferred, regimen is its history of effectiveness in clinical trials. Compared with study volunteers who used Sustiva plus Truvada (often used together as Atripla), those using Edurant plus Truvada who had pre-treatment viral loads in excess of 100,000 copies were more likely to see their viral loads rebound while on therapy. Clinical trial participants using Edurant plus Truvada were also more likely to develop drug resistance to other NNRTIs—including Sustiva (efavirenz), Intelence (etravirine) and Viramune (nevirapine)—and Truvada, compared with those using Sustiva plus Truvada.
"Based on limited data on durability of treatment responses (48 weeks) and the lower virologic response compared with [Sustiva] in patients with high pretreatment viral loads, the [guidelines] panel recommends [Complera] as an alternative regimen for initial therapy," the revised guidelines state. "Caution should be exercised when using [rilpivirine] in patients with [viral loads greater than] 100,000 copies/mL, given the higher [rilpivirine] virologic failure rates and the greater probability of [etravirine] resistance at the time of failure observed in this population during clinical trials."
Across the board, however, Edurant plus Truvada was comparable to Sustiva plus Truvada in terms of maintaining viral loads below the level of detection, all the while causing fewer serious side effects, notably central nervous system problems.
Other changes in NNRTI recommendations include all Viramune-based regimens being reclassified as acceptable options for people starting HIV treatment for the first time, despite the fact that a new formulation of nevirapine called Viramune XR allows for once-daily dosing. Previously, Viramune plus Combivir was classified as an alternative regimen.
Combivir, the first approved tablet containing two nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs), has been reclassified from an alternative dual-NRTI option to an acceptable option because the combination has greater toxicities compared with Truvada and Epzicom (abacavir plus lamivudine) and requires twice-daily dosing. However, Combivir remains the preferred dual-NRTI for pregnant women receiving ARV therapy.
Other key recommendations, such as when to start or switch HIV treatment, remain unchanged.
The Friends of AIDS Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.
TOGETHER WE REMAIN STRONG!
Other changes include the removal of both Viramune (nevirapine) and Combivir (zidovudine plus lamivudine) as alternative treatment options—both are now considered third-tier “acceptable” options—by the DHHS guidelines committee.
The DHHS’s Guidelines for the Use of Antiretroviral Agents in HIV-1 Infected Adults and Adolescents makes recommendations about the best time to start or switch therapy, the best treatments to use in various situations, ways to monitor treatment and deal with side effects and certain opportunistic infections (OIs), and a host of other issues related to ARV treatment. The guidelines were last updated in January 2011.
The addition of Complera, the second fixed-dose combination tablet containing a complete regimen active against HIV—along with Edurant, the stand-alone tablet containing rilpivirine, to be combined with other agents—is among the most notable changes in the October 2011 update. Both are listed as alternative options. Atripla is still the only first-tier “preferred” non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI)–based regimen for first-time HIV treatment takers.
The reason for Complera’s listing as an alternative, as opposed to a preferred, regimen is its history of effectiveness in clinical trials. Compared with study volunteers who used Sustiva plus Truvada (often used together as Atripla), those using Edurant plus Truvada who had pre-treatment viral loads in excess of 100,000 copies were more likely to see their viral loads rebound while on therapy. Clinical trial participants using Edurant plus Truvada were also more likely to develop drug resistance to other NNRTIs—including Sustiva (efavirenz), Intelence (etravirine) and Viramune (nevirapine)—and Truvada, compared with those using Sustiva plus Truvada.
"Based on limited data on durability of treatment responses (48 weeks) and the lower virologic response compared with [Sustiva] in patients with high pretreatment viral loads, the [guidelines] panel recommends [Complera] as an alternative regimen for initial therapy," the revised guidelines state. "Caution should be exercised when using [rilpivirine] in patients with [viral loads greater than] 100,000 copies/mL, given the higher [rilpivirine] virologic failure rates and the greater probability of [etravirine] resistance at the time of failure observed in this population during clinical trials."
Across the board, however, Edurant plus Truvada was comparable to Sustiva plus Truvada in terms of maintaining viral loads below the level of detection, all the while causing fewer serious side effects, notably central nervous system problems.
Other changes in NNRTI recommendations include all Viramune-based regimens being reclassified as acceptable options for people starting HIV treatment for the first time, despite the fact that a new formulation of nevirapine called Viramune XR allows for once-daily dosing. Previously, Viramune plus Combivir was classified as an alternative regimen.
Combivir, the first approved tablet containing two nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs), has been reclassified from an alternative dual-NRTI option to an acceptable option because the combination has greater toxicities compared with Truvada and Epzicom (abacavir plus lamivudine) and requires twice-daily dosing. However, Combivir remains the preferred dual-NRTI for pregnant women receiving ARV therapy.
Other key recommendations, such as when to start or switch HIV treatment, remain unchanged.
The Friends of AIDS Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.
TOGETHER WE REMAIN STRONG!
More Male U.S. Teens Lose Virginity Wearing Condoms
The number of U.S. men ages 15 to 19 who used a condom the first time they had sex increased between 2002 and the 2006 to 2010 survey periods, according to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) statement.
While the CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) showed that overall teenagers’ use of contraceptives has not changed significantly during the past decade, during the 2006 to 2010 study period, 8 in 10 teen males used condoms when they lost their virginity—a 9 percent increase from 2002.
The new data on teen contraceptive use was collected during the National Survey of Family Growth (NSFG), which tracks a number of family-related factors including marriage, divorce, contraception, pregnancy and birth outcomes.
Other NSFG findings showed more male teens were using condoms in addition to a female partner’s hormonal contraceptive method, thereby protecting against sexually transmitted infections (STIs) such as HIV.
However, data also showed that Latino men were most likely to not have used a contraceptive method during their last sexual encounter.
To read the CDC statement, visit: http://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2011/p1012_teen_condoms.html.
To read the NCHS report, visit: http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/.
The Friends of AIDS Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.
TOGETHER WE REMAIN STRONG!
While the CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) showed that overall teenagers’ use of contraceptives has not changed significantly during the past decade, during the 2006 to 2010 study period, 8 in 10 teen males used condoms when they lost their virginity—a 9 percent increase from 2002.
The new data on teen contraceptive use was collected during the National Survey of Family Growth (NSFG), which tracks a number of family-related factors including marriage, divorce, contraception, pregnancy and birth outcomes.
Other NSFG findings showed more male teens were using condoms in addition to a female partner’s hormonal contraceptive method, thereby protecting against sexually transmitted infections (STIs) such as HIV.
However, data also showed that Latino men were most likely to not have used a contraceptive method during their last sexual encounter.
To read the CDC statement, visit: http://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2011/p1012_teen_condoms.html.
To read the NCHS report, visit: http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/.
The Friends of AIDS Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.
TOGETHER WE REMAIN STRONG!
U.K. Pastors’ HIV Prayer “Cure” Causes 3 Deaths
At least three people in London died after they stopped taking antiretroviral medication on the advice of Evangelical Christian pastors who claimed prayer alone could cure them of HIV, BBC News reports.
The African Health Policy Network, an HIV prevention organization with operations in England, argues that these three deaths are part of a growing trend in which London churches tell people that prayer can cure their infections.
Several high profile British officials, including Lord Fowler, a former health minister, have publicly condemned the practice.
To read the BBC article, visit: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-14406818.
The Friends of AIDS Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.
TOGETHER WE REMAIN STRONG!
The African Health Policy Network, an HIV prevention organization with operations in England, argues that these three deaths are part of a growing trend in which London churches tell people that prayer can cure their infections.
Several high profile British officials, including Lord Fowler, a former health minister, have publicly condemned the practice.
To read the BBC article, visit: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-14406818.
The Friends of AIDS Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.
TOGETHER WE REMAIN STRONG!
WHO Reaffirms Commitment to AIDS Fight
At least two million lives could be saved by 2015 if the World Health Organisation's 193 member-states achieve stated goals in the fight against AIDS, the global body said Tuesday.
At the WHO's 64th general assembly, member-states reaffirmed their desire to increase access to prevention options and treatment.
"Two millions lives could be saved between now and 2015 if the strategy plan is fully implemented," said Andrew Ball, an official with the WHO's HIV/AIDS programme.
The assembly adopts a new strategy to curb HIV/AIDS every five years.
The policy agreed Tuesday is similar to a 2006-2010 plan in emphasising increased access to treatment, prevention, and reducing deaths among mothers and children.
It aims to halve the infection rate among people aged 15 to 24, a 90 per cent reduction of infections among children, and a 25 per cent cut in HIV-related deaths.
There are 33.3 million people living with HIV, including 22.5 million in sub-Saharan Africa, according to UNAIDS.
The Friends of AIDS Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.
TOGETHER WE REMAIN STRONG!
At the WHO's 64th general assembly, member-states reaffirmed their desire to increase access to prevention options and treatment.
"Two millions lives could be saved between now and 2015 if the strategy plan is fully implemented," said Andrew Ball, an official with the WHO's HIV/AIDS programme.
The assembly adopts a new strategy to curb HIV/AIDS every five years.
The policy agreed Tuesday is similar to a 2006-2010 plan in emphasising increased access to treatment, prevention, and reducing deaths among mothers and children.
It aims to halve the infection rate among people aged 15 to 24, a 90 per cent reduction of infections among children, and a 25 per cent cut in HIV-related deaths.
There are 33.3 million people living with HIV, including 22.5 million in sub-Saharan Africa, according to UNAIDS.
The Friends of AIDS Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.
TOGETHER WE REMAIN STRONG!
HIV/AIDS Bill Addresses Need But Has Downside
Twenty years ago next month, Magic Johnson shocked the sports world and fans around the globe when he humbly revealed that he had tested positive for HIV after engaging in multiple heterosexual relations outside his marriage. Today, Mr. Johnson and countless others are sustained by antiretroviral drugs, other treatments and health regimens.
This week, another champion in the battle against HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases, D.C. Council member David Catania, singled out baby boomers and other older Americans as a demographic desperately in need of HIV/AIDS intervention.
On Tuesday, Mr. Catania introduced the Senior HIV/AIDS Education and Outreach Program Establishment Act of 2011, which calls for the D.C. Health Department to development partnerships that would provide peer-to-peer programs at nursing and retirement homes as well as government-run facilities that cater to the over-50 crowd.
At first blush, Mr. Catania’s proposal appears spot-on: Nationally, adults 50 or older rose from 19.2 percent of new AIDS cases in 2005 to 26.4 percent in 2009. In the District, 7.4 percent of residents age 40 to 49 and 6.1 percent of those 50 to 59 are living with HIV/AIDS.
“Providing appropriate HIV information to this population requires certain sensitivities,” said Mr. Catania, at-large independent. “This program will fill an important information gap in the District’s health-education and risk-reduction efforts and provide desperately needed information on HIV transmission to a demographic increasingly at risk.”
The development of programs tailored to this aging demographic could be a smart new health care tool alongside HIV/AIDS prophylactics and pharmaceutical advancements.
But the general public, in its eagerness to fight the good fight against HIV/AIDS, mustn’t turn a blind eye to the fact that the Catania bill includes offering a government-dictated curriculum, workshops and presentations at faith-based facilities.
That aspect in and of itself is odorous.
That Mr. Catania’s bill targets the Viagra generation as the District finally begins to stare at its shameful highest-in-the-nation HIV/AIDS rate of 3.2 percent is worthy of deliberations, but those discussions must be transparent, too, because anytime and every time a lawmaker proposes a measure with religious undertones, the public’s eyes should open wide.
America, after all, is grounded in the ethos of freedom of religion and the free exercise thereof.
The Friends of AIDS Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.
TOGETHER WE REMAIN STRONG!
This week, another champion in the battle against HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases, D.C. Council member David Catania, singled out baby boomers and other older Americans as a demographic desperately in need of HIV/AIDS intervention.
On Tuesday, Mr. Catania introduced the Senior HIV/AIDS Education and Outreach Program Establishment Act of 2011, which calls for the D.C. Health Department to development partnerships that would provide peer-to-peer programs at nursing and retirement homes as well as government-run facilities that cater to the over-50 crowd.
At first blush, Mr. Catania’s proposal appears spot-on: Nationally, adults 50 or older rose from 19.2 percent of new AIDS cases in 2005 to 26.4 percent in 2009. In the District, 7.4 percent of residents age 40 to 49 and 6.1 percent of those 50 to 59 are living with HIV/AIDS.
“Providing appropriate HIV information to this population requires certain sensitivities,” said Mr. Catania, at-large independent. “This program will fill an important information gap in the District’s health-education and risk-reduction efforts and provide desperately needed information on HIV transmission to a demographic increasingly at risk.”
The development of programs tailored to this aging demographic could be a smart new health care tool alongside HIV/AIDS prophylactics and pharmaceutical advancements.
But the general public, in its eagerness to fight the good fight against HIV/AIDS, mustn’t turn a blind eye to the fact that the Catania bill includes offering a government-dictated curriculum, workshops and presentations at faith-based facilities.
That aspect in and of itself is odorous.
That Mr. Catania’s bill targets the Viagra generation as the District finally begins to stare at its shameful highest-in-the-nation HIV/AIDS rate of 3.2 percent is worthy of deliberations, but those discussions must be transparent, too, because anytime and every time a lawmaker proposes a measure with religious undertones, the public’s eyes should open wide.
America, after all, is grounded in the ethos of freedom of religion and the free exercise thereof.
The Friends of AIDS Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.
TOGETHER WE REMAIN STRONG!
Start HIV Drug Treatment Early in Patients With TB: Studies
Three new studies provide insight into the best time to begin AIDS drug treatments in HIV-positive patients who are also infected with tuberculosis, a double whammy common in Africa. Starting the drugs earlier, even by a few weeks, could make a big difference for patients who are very sick, the research suggests.
The cost of earlier treatment isn't much higher, and the drugs pay big dividends, said Dr. Diane V. Havlir, lead author of one of the studies. Her study found that starting the drugs within two weeks of diagnosis rather than eight weeks reduced the death rate or progression to more severe HIV by almost 40 percent in the sickest patients.
"This is fabulous news. It's amazing that starting it at two weeks versus eight weeks makes such a difference," said Havlir, professor of medicine at the University of California, San Francisco, and head of the AIDS division at San Francisco General Hospital.
HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, and tuberculosis frequently strike people in less developed regions such as sub-Saharan Africa, Havlir said. HIV disrupts the immune system, she said, making it easier for people to get tuberculosis.
"These two diseases go hand in hand," she said. "They're synergetic, they're partners."
The studies are published in the Oct. 20 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
The HIV-tuberculosis combo is less common in richer areas of the world, such as the West, said Dr. Jeremy Farrar, co-author of a commentary accompanying the studies. He is director of the Oxford University Clinical Research Unit in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
It hasn't been clear how to treat patients who have both diseases. Among other things, doctors worried about adding HIV drugs to tuberculosis drugs because of concerns about side effects, including those from drug interactions, Havlir said.
The three new studies looked at the problem from different perspectives. In Havlir's study of 806 patients who were assigned to different treatments, 13 percent who received earlier HIV treatment got worse on the AIDS front or died within 48 weeks compared to 16 percent of those who started the drugs later.
But there was a much bigger difference in patients in the worst shape in terms of HIV: 16 percent of those who received earlier treatment got worse or died, compared to 27 percent of those who received later treatment.
The finding suggests that "very sick patients must be started (on HIV drugs) immediately and early," Havlir said, but those who are doing better can wait eight weeks.
Farrar supported the findings of the studies and agreed that it's a good idea to start HIV treatment early in the patients whose HIV is most severe. It will save lives and could reduce transmission, he said.
But culture tests for TB are rare in areas lacking state-of-the-art medical resources, so diagnoses are often based on clinical observation of symptoms, Farrar said. Also, he noted that most of the patients in the studies had pulmonary tuberculosis, which is rarely life-threatening. Death rates are much higher for more severe forms, such as tuberculous meningitis.
Farrar also acknowledged other caveats. A regimen of many pills might lead to noncompliance among some patients, he said. For patients with drug-resistant tuberculosis, the medication schedule is even more daunting.
The possibility also exists of "complex interactions between the drugs for TB and HIV and other conditions the patients have," he said.
"We need a much greater understanding of this interaction and work to help deliver these crucial drugs in a better way," Farrar stated.
The Friends of AIDS Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.
TOGETHER WE REMAIN STRONG!
The cost of earlier treatment isn't much higher, and the drugs pay big dividends, said Dr. Diane V. Havlir, lead author of one of the studies. Her study found that starting the drugs within two weeks of diagnosis rather than eight weeks reduced the death rate or progression to more severe HIV by almost 40 percent in the sickest patients.
"This is fabulous news. It's amazing that starting it at two weeks versus eight weeks makes such a difference," said Havlir, professor of medicine at the University of California, San Francisco, and head of the AIDS division at San Francisco General Hospital.
HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, and tuberculosis frequently strike people in less developed regions such as sub-Saharan Africa, Havlir said. HIV disrupts the immune system, she said, making it easier for people to get tuberculosis.
"These two diseases go hand in hand," she said. "They're synergetic, they're partners."
The studies are published in the Oct. 20 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
The HIV-tuberculosis combo is less common in richer areas of the world, such as the West, said Dr. Jeremy Farrar, co-author of a commentary accompanying the studies. He is director of the Oxford University Clinical Research Unit in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
It hasn't been clear how to treat patients who have both diseases. Among other things, doctors worried about adding HIV drugs to tuberculosis drugs because of concerns about side effects, including those from drug interactions, Havlir said.
The three new studies looked at the problem from different perspectives. In Havlir's study of 806 patients who were assigned to different treatments, 13 percent who received earlier HIV treatment got worse on the AIDS front or died within 48 weeks compared to 16 percent of those who started the drugs later.
But there was a much bigger difference in patients in the worst shape in terms of HIV: 16 percent of those who received earlier treatment got worse or died, compared to 27 percent of those who received later treatment.
The finding suggests that "very sick patients must be started (on HIV drugs) immediately and early," Havlir said, but those who are doing better can wait eight weeks.
Farrar supported the findings of the studies and agreed that it's a good idea to start HIV treatment early in the patients whose HIV is most severe. It will save lives and could reduce transmission, he said.
But culture tests for TB are rare in areas lacking state-of-the-art medical resources, so diagnoses are often based on clinical observation of symptoms, Farrar said. Also, he noted that most of the patients in the studies had pulmonary tuberculosis, which is rarely life-threatening. Death rates are much higher for more severe forms, such as tuberculous meningitis.
Farrar also acknowledged other caveats. A regimen of many pills might lead to noncompliance among some patients, he said. For patients with drug-resistant tuberculosis, the medication schedule is even more daunting.
The possibility also exists of "complex interactions between the drugs for TB and HIV and other conditions the patients have," he said.
"We need a much greater understanding of this interaction and work to help deliver these crucial drugs in a better way," Farrar stated.
The Friends of AIDS Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.
TOGETHER WE REMAIN STRONG!
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